For Immediate Release: October 24, 2012
Contact: Ron Ault, 202-341-2036
Yesterday Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and others made statements attempting to capitalize on President Obama’s comments on Shipbuilding during the final Presidential Debate. As the organization that represents the workforce at the Naval Shipyards the Metal Trades Department President Ron Ault responds.
Ron Ault, President of The Metal Trades Department:
“The Metal Trades represents the workforce at the Naval Shipyards and the Norfolk Navy Public Works Centers at the Norfolk Naval Operations Base as well as at private shipyards that build naval warships- President Obama correctly pointed out it is about the capability of our Naval warships- not just the quantity of ships. We are building the most versatile, most capable technologically advanced warships in the world, fully capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously.
“I was personally present at the christening ceremonies of the USS America, LHA 6, under construction at Huntington Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, this past Saturday, the fourth ship named America is a new class of big deck amphibious aircraft carrier designed to be active in the US fleet until at least 2053. The crew that will man the America in 2053 will face yet unknown mission requirements. Our ships are designed to be adaptable and capable to successfully fight and win battles with yet unknown foes in yet unknown conflicts. There is no other Navy in the world that has the Navy America has, nor the technologies and fighting/survivability of our ships. America is far and away superior to any of the Navies of any nation on earth.
“I am proud to represent the world best shipbuilders and the very best ship repair/maintenance workforce. I took no insult from our President’s remarks nor did I see any reason for anyone in the shipbuilding or ship repair industry to. He simply spoke the truth. The Navy ships we build today are built for multi-missions to be able to respond to yet unknown missions of the future and are without question the most capable, most versatile warships ever built by any nation.”