[CPEO-MEF] Navy Issues Decision on Super Hornet Basing

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

No. 663-03
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 10, 2003
(703)697-5131(media)
(703)428-0711(public/industry)

Navy Issues Decision on Super Hornet Basing

The Department of the Navy issued a record of decision (ROD) for the
basing of 10 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike-fighter squadrons and one
fleet replacement squadron on the east coast of the United States.

The ROD details the plan to home base eight F/A-18E/F fleet squadrons
and one fleet replacement squadron (120 aircraft) at Naval Air Station
Oceana (NAS), Va., two F/A-18E/F fleet squadrons (24 aircraft) at Marine
Corps Air Station Cherry Point (MCAS), N.C., and construct an outlying
field (OLF) in Washington County, N.C.

The need to construct and operate an OLF to support Super Hornet
training, especially field carrier landing practice, was a key factor in
the Navy's environmental analysis.  Existing facilities do not have the
capacity to meet Atlantic Fleet requirements when the Navy and Marine
Corps are ordered to simultaneously surge-deploy multiple aircraft
carriers and their associated air wings, which was the case during
Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  The Navy considered
sites in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

The Washington County OLF site was recommended because it best fits the
screening criteria the Navy used in considering candidate sites.  These
criteria included a low-population density and a lack of airspace
conflicts and obstructions (such as tall towers), as well as, avoidance
of extensive wetland complexes, public interest areas and ecologically
sensitive areas.  With its central location between MCAS Cherry Point
and NAS Oceana, an OLF located in Washington County provides the
greatest potential as a valuable training asset for current and future
years.

The final environmental impact statement for the home basing of the
F/A-18 E/F aircraft on the east coast was published in the Federal
Register and made public on July 18, 2003.  The review period ended on
Aug.18.

[Web Version: http://www.dod.mil/releases/2003/nr20030910-0434.html]

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