NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAINE SENATORS ANNOUNCE USS VIRGINIA ASSIGNED TO PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the U.S. Department of Navy has directed that the USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) will have its homeport changed to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard effective October 1, 2010.  The USS Virginia will undergo a planned maintenance period at the shipyard through April 2012.

 "The Virginia-class submarines are the future of the Portsmouth NavalShipyard, and the arrival of the lead boat in the class next fall will usher in a new era for the shipyard team," said the Senators in a joint statement. "The USS Virginia is the most modern and innovative underwater warship on patrol today.  It is only fitting that the Navy will rely on the nation's most capable submarine workforce for this inaugural extended maintenance period.   The Navy knows which team to trust to do it right, and which team will set the standard for others to follow." 

The current homeport of the USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) is Groton, CT, from which the ship deploys to conduct operations worldwide.  The ship is manned by 155 officers and crew, and will have a direct economic impact of approximately $10.5 million on the York County-Portsmouth region.