Local ships to move to Mayport early

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Navy announced Friday that several ships that currently call Norfolk home will move to Mayport, Fla. by the end of June 2013.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced USS New York (LPD 21) will be the first to change homeport, followed by USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).

As WAVY News 10 reported in February, Secretary Mabus originally states that the amphibious ready group (ARG) would arrive no later than 2015. The new date is sooner than expected. The Navy initially postponed the move, citing budget cuts.

"I am very pleased that the Navy is able to condense the time horizon for the arrival of the Mayport ARG," stated Mabus in a news release. "The move underscores just how important Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport are to our national defense, and how committed we are to strategic dispersal on the East Coast."

“We remain pleased to know that the Navy will be keeping all East Coast carriers in Norfolk where they belong, and we are confident that the Navy’s plans for strategic dispersal will ensure that Hampton Roads remains among our nation’s strongest defense communities," Congressman Scott Rigell said in a statement.

WAVY News 10 is closely following this developing news. Stay with WAVY on air and online for updates.