Navy to beef up lineup at Naval Station Everett

Naval Station Everett has a more secure place on Everett’s waterfront, after the announcement this morning that the Navy will replace three frigates with destroyers over the next seven years.

The change will mean Naval Station Everett will be homeport to five destroyers in addition to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The destroyers are expected to boost personnel at the Naval station by 7 percent, from 3,956 to 4,235.

Rep. Rick Larsen just made the announcement this morning. In a release, he said the destroyers show the Navy is committed to the base and recognizes its importance in Asia-Pacific security strategy.

“The ships will also bring hundreds of new sailors and their families to Snohomish County, boosting our economy,” Larsen said. “This means hundreds of new customers for our businesses and residents in our neighborhoods. I look forward to joining the community in welcoming the crews and families over the next few years.”

The Navy will homeport the destroyers to replace the frigates USS Ford (FFG 54), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), and USS Ingraham (FFG 61) as they are decommissioned in 2014, 2016 and 2019 respectively. The destroyers will be a mix of new and modified ballistic missile defense-capable ships.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen’s statement on the Navy changes:

“EVERETT — Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced that the Navy will boost its presence at Naval Station Everett, replacing each of the three frigates with new or modified destroyers over the next seven years. Larsen will join Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson to make further comments on the announcement on a press conference call today at 2:30 p.m. PST.

“‘The decision to homeport three more destroyers here secures the future of Naval Station Everett,” Larsen said. “Today’s announcement is a validation of the community’s long and steadfast support for Naval Station Everett. I have spent years convincing the Navy that Everett is ready, willing and able to support more and larger ships. Not only is Everett a strategically important location, but its facilities are among the best the Navy has to offer.’

“Larsen, who was informed of the decision by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus last week, has long pushed to homeport more destroyers at Naval Station Everett. The change will mean Naval Station Everett will be homeport to five destroyers in addition to an aircraft carrier, resulting in a 7 percent increase in personnel from 3,956 to 4,235.

“‘Bringing the destroyers to Everett shows the Navy is committed to the base and recognizes its importance in our Asia-Pacific security strategy,’ Larsen added. ‘While many military communities are worried about impending cuts to the Defense Department budget, the decision to bring the destroyers to Everett should relieve our community of any fears of losing this cornerstone of our community.’

“‘The ships will also bring hundreds of new sailors and their families to Snohomish County, boosting our economy,’ Larsen said. ‘This means hundreds of new customers for our businesses and residents in our neighborhoods. I look forward to joining the community in welcoming the crews and families over the next few years.’

“The Navy will homeport the destroyers to replace the frigates USS Ford (FFG 54), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), and USS Ingraham (FFG 61) as they are decommissioned in 2014, 2016 and 2019 respectively. The destroyers will be a mix of new and modified ballistic missile defense-capable ships.

“Larsen has a long record of calling for more destroyers at Naval Station Everett. Since 2005 he has regularly written and spoken to top Naval officers about placing destroyers at Everett. In a July 2005 letter to then Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Mullen, Larsen wrote, ‘Of all the bases overlooking the Pacific, Naval Station Everett is the Navy installation with the pier capacity most able to accommodate new assets such as destroyers. Additionally, Naval Station Everett and the Pacific Northwest provide our sailors with the highest quality of life in the country.’ “

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Washington law will allow traffic cams on more city, county roads

The move, led by a Snohomish County Democrat, comes as roadway deaths in the state have hit historic highs.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lakewood School District’s new levy pitch: This time, it won’t raise taxes

After two levies failed, the district went back to the drawing board, with one levy that would increase taxes and another that would not.

Alex Hanson looks over sections of the Herald and sets the ink on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Black Press, publisher of Everett’s Daily Herald, is sold

The new owners include two Canadian private investment firms and a media company based in the southern United States.

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.