Ben Loyola Proposes Solution to
Virginia-Florida Aircraft Carrier Fight
March 4, 2010
At a time when our national security resources are stretched far across the globe, there is a political tug-of-war being waged for one or two aircraft carriers possibly moving from Virginia to Florida. In the meantime, our men and women in uniform are caught in the middle by being required to pick up the slack by serving in greater and greater capacities.
Republican candidate for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, Ben Loyola, proposes a solution to this Virginia-Florida competition for carriers. Hearkening back to Ronald Reagan’s vision of a strong America and “peace through strength”, the question shouldn’t be how to position scarce military resources.
The question should be “Why are they so scarce?”
Ben Loyola proposes the building of two additional carriers to meet all core competencies of the Unified Maritime Strategy, including power projection, forward presence, sea control, maritime security, deterrence and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. The additional carriers will also allow for shortened deployment cycles addressed in the Fleet Response Plan and lessen the demands that are straining our service members and their families.
“Our Democratic representatives recently increased the national debt limit by $1.9 trillion, or the cost of 200 new carriers,” said Loyola. “Rather than engage in a political tug-of-war over the location of existing carriers that are already insufficient in number, let’s have a real solution that serves our national security interests and provides real economic stimulus as well.”
Building two new carriers means countless jobs and shared carrier responsibilities between Virginia and Florida without the economic and strategic shortcomings of an “either-or” strategy that has been pursued thus far.
“This is a Constitutional economic stimulus as well, as it was for Reagan. We are Constitutionally obligated to ‘provide for the common defense,” added Loyola.
“From shipbuilders and the small businesses that support them, to steel producers and electronics suppliers, this would be a major economic stimulus that would ripple economically far and wide. Our Carrier Strike Groups are supporting continuous and expanding global commitments. Insufficient carrier assets result in our fleet being stretched too thin, and have detrimental impacts to the families of sailors and soldiers who face extended deployments and reduced rotation times. My proposal would better meet our national security goals and help retain our best and brightest who serve in uniform.”
Ben Loyola is a candidate for the Republican nomination in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He’s a 25-year resident of Virginia Beach, US Naval Academy graduate, 30-year Navy veteran with combat experience, successful award winning businessman, and a true Conservative Reagan Republican.
