“The strategic review appropriately realigns our national security strategy to focus on the critically important Asia-Pacific region,” said Larsen, co-chair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group. “Congress, the President and the Department of Defense need to make hard choices to create sustainable national security policy and tackle our deficit. But I am pleased the administration is maintaining its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region which is increasingly important to U.S. national security and our economy.
“An intensified focus on the Asia-Pacific means that Northwest Washington will only continue to grow as a strategically important center for our Navy. Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are already key components of the Asia-Pacific mission. Even as we slow growth at the Department of Defense, I will continue working to make sure these bases are properly resourced, including by bringing the P-8A Poseidons to Whidbey.”
