Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, sent a letter to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert in support of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. In the letter Larsen notes the base’s importance in the administration’s strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region and urges the Navy to maintain its commitment to bring the P-8A Poseidon aircraft to Whidbey Island. Larsen wrote his letter in response to a letter he received from Adm. Greenert in December. The full text of the letter follows:
Admiral Jonathan Greenert
Chief of Naval Operations
Department of the Navy
The Pentagon
Washington, DC 205350-2000
Dear Admiral Greenert:
Thank you for your response letter of December 7, 2011 regarding the basing of P-8As at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). As you noted, NASWI has long been a model Department of Defense (DoD) installation, proving essential to Naval operations in the Pacific and Arctic regions.
As you are aware, last November President Obama announced that as operations in Iraq conclude and with the continued drawdown of operations in Afghanistan, the United States’ interests will pivot towards East Asia. I fully support the President’s decision and look forward to working with the Administration and the Department of Defense on this transition.
With this pivot, the importance of identifying anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol capabilities in future conflict planning increases. The P-8As fulfill these capabilities while also offsetting the advancement in submarine capabilities by potential near-peer competitors in the region.
NASWI continues to be a key future home base for the P-8As. While NAS Jacksonville fulfills an important function in the Atlantic region, the P-8As to be stationed there will not have a significant impact on the East Asia pivot strategy. Similarly, although NAS Keneohe Bay will have a significant impact on the East Asia pivot strategy, they are at capacity and cannot home base more P-8As.
The need for the P-8A’s capabilities in East Asia, mixed with current basing limitations suggests that the Department should remain committed to the 2008 Record of Decision.
We will continue to work with you as this process unfolds in the months and years to come. NASWI will always be one of the best retention and national protection tools for the Navy and it stands ready for its new P-8A mission.
Sincerely,
Rick Larsen
United States Representative
Washington State, 2nd District
