History Naval Station Everett

1 history

1.1 background
1.2 planning , construction
1.3 ship assignments

history
background

although naval reservation existed @ site, history of naval station everett began in 1983 when secretary of navy john lehman first proposed new puget sound-area naval base part of strategic homeport concept. in 1980s, congress approved strategic homeporting initiative build additional bases , disperse fleet main concentration areas. strategic homeport program enjoyed support of not of house , senate of reagan administration , department of defense. decided in 1985 strategic homeport program best method implementing militarily-sound principles of dispersal, battlegroup integrity, , increasing naval presence in geographic flanks.

planning , construction

naval station everett viewed east

on april 17, 1984, everett selected among 13 ports ideal location new homeport, ahead of site near port of seattle. decision build base in everett opposed local residents , longshoreman s union, , advisory ballot measure on whether accept base held in city on november 6, 1984. voters approved construction of naval base margin of more 2 1. congress approved $43.5 million in funds construction of homeport on october 2, 1986, amid removal of homeport program federal budget , increases in base s estimated cost.

the port of everett commission approved sale of 143 acres (58 ha) build base on may 5, 1987, , official ground breaking ceremony november 9, 1987. despite groundbreaking, navy unable secure dredging permits until following week due opposition environmentalist groups, unsuccessfully appealed in court halt construction. on september 9, 1988, navy awarded $56 million construction contract carrier pier, 1,620 feet (490 m) long , 120 feet (37 m) wide. on june 4, 1992, 3 navy ships participated in formal opening of new $56.4 million pier.

on june 26, 1993, base realignment , closure commission voted unanimously retain planned everett homeport , close naval air station alameda in california. in january 1994, naval station puget sound personnel began transitioning new fleet support , administration buildings , officially began operations @ naval station everett. on april 8, 1994, official dedication ceremony conducted on 1,500 guests in attendance.

ship assignments

on september 3, 1994, uss ingraham , ford arrived first of 7 ships assigned here, welcomed celebration city. on november 22, 1995, paul f. foster arrived @ naval station. on same date, navy officially announced assignment of david r. ray, callaghan, , chandler naval station everett. david r. ray arrived july 29, 1996, , callaghan , chandler both arrived september 27, 1996. complete complement of ships @ naval station everett, uss abraham lincoln made change of homeport puget sound naval shipyard @ bremerton everett on january 8, 1997. fife , rodney m. davis made official change of homeport japan everett on may 5, 1998. callaghan decommissioned on march 31, 1998, followed chandler on september 23, 1999.

in july 1999 navy completed final environmental impact statement (eis) designed determine appropriate homeports 3 nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in pacific fleet. eis examined 4 locations: bremerton, everett, san diego, , pearl harbor. navy s decision develop facilities homeport 2 nimitz-class carriers @ naval air station north island, california in addition john c. stennis, , maintain everett homeport 1 nimitz-class aircraft carrier. successful completion of abraham lincoln s six-month maintenance period @ puget sound naval shipyard in bremerton, validated navy s preference keep carrier homeported in everett. in-depth eis process began in december 1996. following public scoping meetings held in communities @ each of 4 alternate locations in february 1997, navy spent more 18 months examining ports determine how satisfied cvn homeporting objectives , requirements pertain operations , training; facilities , infrastructure; maintenance; , quality of life.