EVERETT, WA – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin released the following statements after the Navy announced it will homeport the crew of the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, at Naval Station Everett:

“I look forward to welcoming the USS John S. McCain, her sailors and their families to Everett,” said Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Everett is ready, willing and able to support more missions. I will continue working with local leaders to make that case to the Navy and the Coast Guard and ensure Everett remains ‘the Sailor’s Choice.’”

“The Navy is an important part of our community’s diverse fabric,” said Franklin. “Everett is honored to be the new homeport of the USS John S. McCain and we warmly welcome her crew and families. Since taking office, I’ve advocated for additional assets at our base and I will continue to support Naval Station Everett with local, state and national partners.”

Larsen has long pushed to homeport more Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships at Everett. In December, Larsen released a report outlining why Everett is the ideal location for future U.S. Navy and Coast Guard assets. In the report, Larsen highlights Everett’s location, natural deep-water port, modern infrastructure and new shipyards as unique and vital fits for future Navy and U.S. Coast Guard missions.

The USS John S. McCain will undergo a major modernization and maintenance overhaul. Effective August 30, 2021, the John S. McCain and her crew will change homeport from Yokosuka, Japan, to Everett.

Thirty-four officers and 293 enlisted women and men crew the John S. McCain, which the Navy commissioned in 1994. The destroyer is named after three members of the McCain family – John Sr., John Jr. and John III – who served in the Navy. Everett is currently home to five Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers – USS Momsen, USS Kidd, USS Gridley, USS Sampson and USS Ralph Johnson – and two Coast Guard ships – USCGC Henry Blake and USCGC Blue Shark. Earlier this year, the Navy announced it will temporarily homeport the crews of the USS Cape St. George, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and the USS John Paul Jones, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, at Everett in September 2020 and June 2021, respectively.

For more information on the USS John S. McCain, click here.

###