(Jacksonville)—Two days after “Moored at Mayport!” launched to start preparing the area for another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round, a local ship repair trade association is supporting the effort.
The Jacksonville Area Ship Repair Association (JASRA) recently joined the initiative to grow and protect the First Coast’s military future, especially Naval Station Mayport.
“We understand the importance of this issue, as ship repair jobs and skill sets in our area are already under pressure,” says Mike McGrath, JASRA executive director. “Our members would be devastated if we lost Mayport, which is a possibility after Navy Secretary Ray Mabus’ comments supporting another BRAC round with all bases on the table.”
“Moored at Mayport!” was started by congressional candidate & retired Navy Commander Steve Kaufman after he attended the state’s Defense Support Task Force meeting in Jacksonville. The meeting included a briefing by the state’s BRAC consultant, who said military services have been requesting another BRAC round and 150 House members voted to authorize it this year.
While the consultant rates Mayport as “low risk” of being closed, Kaufman says the area must start getting ready now for multiple potential outcomes.
“Our community must start preparing now to defend Naval Station Mayport, and we’ll do our part,” McGrath says.
“Moored at Mayport!” was officially launched August 10 with a logo and website, www.MooredAtMayport.com for those interested in getting involved to sign up.
For more information on JASRA: www.JASRA.org