Washington, D.C. - Today the US Navy formally announced that the U.S.S. George Washington will replace the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk as the aircraft carrier in the Western Pacific. This decision debunked previous speculation by some that the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln would be the carrier forward deployed to Japan.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and strong advocate of Naval Station Everett, issued the following statement on the decision:

“Today’s decision is good news for Naval Station Everett and our community.

“Military installations like Naval Station Everett that overlook the Pacific are on the frontlines of protecting our national security needs. 

“The Navy’s choice to move assets from the East Coast to the Asian Pacific region solidifies this focus.

“Between base-closing rumors and Lincoln-leaving rumors, 2005 has been the year of the rumor. As a community, we made it successfully through all of them, and we end 2005 on a strong foot for the Northwest military’s future.”

The U.S.S. George Washington is currently homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. It is set to arrive in Yokosuka, Japan, in 2008.

This rotation is part of the Navy’s effort to replace older ships, with newer, more capable platforms. It is also in line with the Navy’s effort to consider the unpredictable security environment in the Western Pacific region as it forward deploys assets.

Larsen represents Washington’s 2nd Congressional District that includes Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.