THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502150510
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
CUTS AT LONG BEACH: Just weeks before release of the list of military bases recommended for closure, the Navy has told the Long Beach Naval Shipyard to cut its work force by 133 workers. The order is another blow to a base that already faces its greatest threat of closure. In 1993, the yard escaped by a 4-3 vote of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. But this year, for the first time, it appears the Navy is recommending the yard be closed. The shipyard's 600 temporary workers are expected to absorb the immediate job loss. Three of the Navy's eight shipyards already have been slated for closure. Workers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth are awaiting word on whether their installation will be appear on the Pentagon's list of recommendations for closure, scheduled for delivery to the commission March 1.
BLUE ANGELS COMING: The Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team has been scheduled for the 1995 Oceana Air Show, Sept. 23 and 24. The seven-member team, which flies F/A-18 Hornets, last appeared in Hampton Roads for Oceana's 1993 air show. In addition, the Air Force's flight team, the Thunderbirds, is scheduled to give a demonstration next month for officials at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton. The Thunderbirds, flying F-16 Falcons, are beginning their performance season.
NEW NAVIGATION SYSTEM: Sperry Marine Inc. of Charlottesville has been awarded a $22.3 million contract to install its MK-49 Ring Laser Gyro Ship's Inertial Navigation System on 13 Navy ships, with an option for 36 additional systems. The Navy will install the systems on Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers. Later, they will be installed in Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, Nimitz-class carriers and other major combat ships. The MK-49 will replace three different navigation systems now in use.
COMINGS & GOINGS
PORT VISITS:
The carrier Eisenhower, midway through its six-month Mediterranean deployment, is visiting the Israeli port city of Haifa this week. The first Navy combat ship to deploy with women as crew members, the Eisenhower is scheduled to return to Norfolk in April.
The Italian city of Anzio marked the 50th anniversary of one of World War II's bloodiest battles with a visit by the Norfolk-based guided-missile cruiser named for the city and the battle. The Anzio was opened for public tours during the three-day observation, Wednesday through Friday. Graphic THE LONELIEST JOBS IN THE ARMED FORCES STAFF SOURCE: Department of Defense [For complete graphic, please see microfilm] by CNB