Larsen: Navy to add ships in Everett, jets on Whidbey

EVERETT — Based on a new plan announced on Friday, the cities of Everett and Oak Harbor could be assured of a strong U.S. Naval presence for years to come.

The Nimitz will remain based at Naval Station Everett at least through 2022, according to the plan, announced by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.

The Navy also plans to accelerate a plan to move three destroyers to Naval Station Everett and wants to double the number of P-8A Poseidon aircraft based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Larsen said.

The decision makes the Navy’s reliance on the two bases secure into the foreseeable future, he said.

“If there was any lingering concern about the future of our naval bases, this news will lay it to rest,” Larsen said in a statement. “I have worked for over a decade with local leaders to make the case to the Navy why northwest Washington is the best place to base these assets. The Navy clearly agrees.”

Each of three frigates scheduled to be decommissioned in Everett will immediately be replaced by newer, state-of-the art destroyers at the time, Larsen said.

Under a previous plan, the ships would not have been replaced right away, he said.

“When the frigates left there was going to be a time gap. Now the Navy has decided to do an immediate one-for-one swap.”

There are already two destroyers based at Naval Station Everett, the Momsen and the Shoup. If this plan goes through, five total destroyers will be based in Everett.

The Navy also confirmed it will keep the USS Nimitz homeported at Naval Station Everett through at least 2022, Larsen said Friday. The ship will be sent to a routine dry-dock in Bremerton for a period around 2015, he said.

Pending the completion of an environmental study, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will by 2018 be home to all seven Pacific squadrons of the P-8A Poseidons.

The additional aircraft will come from a canceled plan to base three fleet squadrons in Hawaii.

Instead of the planned 24 P-8A Poseidons, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will now be home to 49 of those aircraft.

The allocation will increase the total number of squadrons based in Oak Harbor from 20 to 23 and increase personnel at the base by a total of 7 percent, Larsen said.

“The additional P-8As will bring hundreds of new military families and will create hundreds of local jobs in the next few years as the base constructs new facilities,” he said in the written statement.

Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson added, “As a member of the Navy League, I am ebullient about the news. This is a testimony to the long standing efforts of the community, local and state officials, to put aside ideology and promote the best outcome for the people.”

The P-8A Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

At Naval Station Everett the destroyers will replace frigates in fiscal years 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Updated figures for possible personnel increases for Everett were not immediately available. Last year, when possible assignment of the new ships was discussed, Larsen estimated a possible increase of more than 200 sailors, from about 3,956 to 4,235.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson met with Navy officials in the Pentagon last month, city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.

“Today’s announcements further demonstrate the Navy’s long term commitment to Naval Station Everett and the installation’s strategic value to the nation,” Stephanson said in a written statement on Friday.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.