ACIBC Action Days
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2009 |
Aircraft Carrier Suppliers in Washington to Meet with Congress
to Urge Continued
Support for Aircraft Carrier Programs
Washington, D.C. – More than 125 members of the Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC) have gathered in Washington as part of the fifth annual Action Days Conference to urge continued support for the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier programs. Members of the group are meeting with members of Congress to discuss how sustained Congressional funding for the carrier programs has important implications not only for national defense, but also for continued strength of the companies that provide parts and services for the construction and maintenance of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Members are urging 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 industrial base companies to devote business resources to these specialized parts and services, potentially threatening their availability and weakening the defense industry.
The members gathered at a dinner this evening to hear from two strong Congressional supporters of the carrier program, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Representative Todd Akin (R-MO-2), Ranking Member, Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee.
"I'm grateful to these business leaders for their commitment, and for traveling to Washington to continue to make the case for a strong aircraft carrier program," said Senator Warner. "I look forward to continuing to work with these great American companies and the world class shipbuilders at Northrop Grumman."
Representative Akin stated, "The United States' role in the world requires a strong Navy, and aircraft carriers are the heart of the Navy. Carriers have a unique capability to project strength, provide immediate airpower in a crisis and deliver humanitarian support to remote regions of the world in a natural disaster."
Founded in 2004 and comprised of more than 450 members in 43 states, the ACIBC is a strong voice for carrier funding representing thousands of employees from over two thousand small, mid-sized and large businesses that provide parts and services for the construction and maintenance of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.
These companies were proud to see their contributions come to life in the commissioning of the newest carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). They are now providing parts and services for the construction of the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the first ship in the newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers now under construction in Newport News, Virginia.
ACIBC companies also providing parts and services for the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) of the carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70),which will be re-delivered to the Navy this year. During the three-year RCOH, which occurs around midlife in the 50-year career of a carrier, the vessel undergoes refueling of its nuclear reactors, upgrades and modernization of its combat and communication systems and overhaul of the ship's hull, mechanical and electrical systems. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) isscheduled to arrive inNewport News later this year for its RCOH.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates recently stated, "No country in the rest of the world has anything close to the reach and firepower to match a carrier strike group. And the United States has and will maintain eleven (carrier strike groups) until at least 2040."
"This advocacy day is essential because carrier suppliers are contributing to the construction of one of the nation's most indispensable military platforms," said Rick Giannini, chairman of the ACIBC and President of Milwaukee Valve Company in New Berlin, Wisconsin. "I am very pleased we have had such a strong show of support again this year to demonstrate to Congress the importance of the industrial base."
"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 the carrier program," 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 companies' ability to devote business resources and ultimately weaken the defense industry. This isn't about just a job, but our lives and the security of this nation."
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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