LAWMAKERS SAY NEW NAVY CONTRACT BOOSTS MISSISSIPPI’S ROLE IN STRENGTHENING U.S. NAVAL FORCES

Cochran, Wicker, Palazzo Applaud Contract Award for Work at Pascagoula Shipyard

July 30, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Congressman Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) today applauded the award of a $1.5 billion Navy contract to design and construct the amphibious transport dock LPD 27 at the Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus informed members of the Mississippi congressional delegation Friday afternoon of the contact award to Huntington Ingalls Industries.  The contract for the 11th San Antonio-class (LPD 17) amphibious transport dock LPD 27 will extend work at Ingalls Shipyard to provide the U.S. Navy with amphibious assault vessels.

“This long-anticipated contract represents progress by the Navy to use the money we’ve appropriated to modernize our naval forces,” said Cochran, vice chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.  “I’m pleased that our shipbuilders in Mississippi will be able to continue their excellent work to give our Navy the amphibious assault ships it needs to meet our national security interests.”

“The LPD 27, like the other ten San Antonio class amphibious ships of her class, will provide a decisive advantage to our Sailors and Marines wherever they may be called upon around the world,” said Wicker, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower subcommittee.  “Mississippi’s shipbuilders continue to produce world-class vessels like the LPD 27 that are essential for naval operations.”

“As our military strategy focuses increasingly on the Pacific region, supplying our Navy with these amphibious assault ships has never been more crucial,” stated Palazzo, member of the House Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.  “I applaud our South Mississippi workers at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding for their record of excellence.  Today’s LPD 27 contract is further proof that they are the best in the business.”

Amphibious assault ships are built solely at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula and are responsible for thousands of jobs in South Mississippi.  Building the next amphibious warship continues the long standing relationship between the U.S. Navy, Mississippi, and Huntington Ingalls.

In late May, Cochran, Wicker and Palazzo also praised the award of a $2.0 billion contract for the construction at Ingalls Shipyard of a LHA 7, the second ship of the America-class amphibious assault ships. Ingalls is currently building LHA 6 for the Navy.

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