Jacksonville, FL — Naval Station Mayport is on the rise, 75 years after it was first established in Jacksonville.
“Now, we’re on the positive glideslope again. In the next two to three years, Mayport is going to grow and have a very, very big presence of brand new Navy warships, more sailors, more families, and be back to what I consider the good old days,” says US 4th Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Sean Buck.
WOKV was on the USS Milwaukee Thursday to mark the base’s anniversary. This ship is one of two new Littoral Combat Ships that have already come to Mayport, with a third expected next month and more after that.
“We’re seeing a lot more technologically advanced warships,” says USS Milwaukee Commanding Officer Commander Ken Lieberman, who also served at Mayport in 2005-06.
INTERVIEW: Mayport's command Master Chief talks about modern-day sailors
Mayport Command Master Chief Bill Houlihan says the community has been a big part of making the base what it is.
“I have been to many different naval stations, and every one you go to, every city claims to be a Navy town- San Diego, Norfolk, all over the country. But nothing compares to Jacksonville,” he says.
Lieberman says the size of the base makes it ideal for fostering that feeling.
“It’s a tight knit community that supports its sailors, and you’re not going to see a bigger family that is dedicated to ensuring the Navy is well-prepared to conduct its mission sets,” Lieberman says.
Houilhan says there is a real affection from the community toward the Navy that they all feel, and it’s especially important for the young sailors.
“About 90% of our force right now joined our Navy after 9/11, and that says a lot, because they knew what they were getting in to,” he says.
And- from the other side of the coin- the Navy is a valuable asset. The Navy is a substantial employer in Jacksonville that also provides for related industry, like shipyard work. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says sailors themselves are an asset, as companies look to hire veterans. He tells WOKV he is speaking with a company looking to open a high-tech manufacturing plant, and one of the most appealing points is the available workforce, which includes veterans.
Bob Reeder has been at Mayport for around 45 years, serving most of those as the Port Master. He says the base has grown, the types of ships have changed, the demands on modern day Sailors have increased- but it’s an atmosphere that he still loves to be a part of.
“People say ‘when are you going to quit, give it up’. As my wife so sweetly says, ‘he’ll quit, retire when they take him out on a stretcher’,” Reeders says.
WOKV is honoring Mayport’s history through Thursday. Tune in for frequent updates on 104.5 FM/AM 690.