The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition
News from the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition - April 1, 2011

Aircraft Carrier Suppliers Meet on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Continued Support for Carrier Programs Funding

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The Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy,
delivers the keynote address to a breakfast
co-sponsored by ACIBC, the Navy League and the
Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus. The
breakfast was part of ACIBC’s Action Days
Conference.

Washington, D.C. – Representatives from more than 100 companies from around the country met in Washington, DC as part of the seventh annual Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC) Action Days Conference to urge continued support for the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier programs.

Members of the Coalition, which includes companies that provide parts and services for aircraft carriers, are briefed on developments in the aircraft carrier program by members of the U.S. Navy and meet with members of Congress to discuss how sustained Congressional funding is vital to the continued strength of the United States industrial base that supports the construction and maintenance of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

At a dinner Wednesday night, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, spoke about the importance of the industrial base and its effect on local economies and national security. The dinner concluded a day of briefings on the latest developments in carrier construction, maintenance and overhaul, in advance of members’ meetings on Capitol Hill today.

Representative Larsen stated, “The challenges the United States faces around the world require a strong Navy, and the aircraft carrier is the heart of the Navy’s strength. Without the high quality parts and services provided by companies throughout the country, these carriers and the men and women who serve aboard them could not carry out their mission.”

Each year members of ACIBC travel to Washington to urge uninterrupted funding of new construction, to support improved planning and better control of overhead costs. A disruption in planned funding for the carrier program could jeopardize the ability of these highly skilled industrial base companies to devote business resources to providing specialized parts and services, potentially threatening their availability and weakening the defense industry.

The Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, was the keynote speaker at a breakfast Thursday morning that was co-sponsored by ACIBC, the Navy League and the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus. Secretary Mabus said, "Our aircraft carriers are our most capable, flexible and adaptable ships we have. The Ronald Reagan was headed to the 5th fleet to support our forces in Afghanistan, and within hours of the earthquake in Japan, she pivoted and headed to the disaster area. They were trained and ready for combat, but are now using those same people and the same equipment to bring aid to the people of Japan."

While funding levels for fiscal year 2012 are not yet finalized, ACIBC members are requesting Congressional support of the President’s Budget Request to provide appropriations for completion of full funding for the carrier program.

Those carriers that would be affected by a disruption in funding include: the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), now under construction in Newport News, Virginia and scheduled for delivery in 2015; Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71); Advance Procurement for the RCOH of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), scheduled to arrive in Newport News in 2012; and final Advance Procurement for construction of the yet-to-be-named CVN-79 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford-class.

More than 2,000 small, mid-sized and large businesses from 43 states provide the design services, material, equipment and technology to construct, operate and maintain U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.

In the past year these companies have been very proud to contribute to the construction of Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the first ship in the newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, the start of construction of CVN-79, the second ship in the Gerald R. Ford-class, and the continued refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

“This advocacy day is essential. I am very pleased we have had such a strong show of support again this year to remind Congress, especially new members, of the importance of maintaining a strong industrial base to our national security.” said Rick Giannini, chairman of the ACIBC and President & CEO of Milwaukee Valve Company in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

“This conference gives our members a valuable opportunity to be the voice of the thousands of men and women who work in this industry and will increase awareness of the challenges facing industry that support carriers,” added Darrell Grow, ACIBC vice-chairman and Chief Operation Officer for the AMMCON Corporation in Hillsboro, Oregon. “A disruption of the carrier construction schedule may jeopardize both economic and national security.”

There are currently 11 aircraft carriers in service. For more facts and information on aircraft carriers and ACIBC please visit the ACIBC Web site: www.acibc.org.


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ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER INDUSTRIAL BASE COALITION (ACIBC)
The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC) is a membership organization representing more than 400 businesses of the more than 2,000 small, mid-sized and large businesses from across the United States that supply parts, services and support to the production and maintenance of United States Navy aircraft carriers -- one of our nation's most critical and trusted military platforms. Established in 2004, ACIBC seeks to preserve the strength of the aircraft carrier force and promote the value of the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base as a vital part of the nation's overall defense structure. These businesses supply a wide range of components and services, from motors, pipes and insulation to electrical, engineering and maintenance services.
 

The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition — www.acibc.org

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