WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of the Maine and New Hampshire congressional delegation today welcomed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.  During today’s visit, General Dempsey and delegation members met with shipyard commander Captain William Greene and shipyard leadership to discuss shipyard operations.  While touring the yard, General Dempsey and delegation members were briefed on the status of repairs to the USS Miami, and learned about operations in the Reactor Servicing Facility, the Motor Generator Rewind Facility, and the Machine Shop.

“Today’s visit was an important opportunity for our nation’s top military officer to witness firsthand the irreplaceable contributions that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard makes to our national security by providing exceptional maintenance of the Navy’s attack submarine fleet,” said Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME), along with Congressmen Mike Michaud (D-ME), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) in a joint statement.  “The shipyard is also an economic engine for the Maine and New Hampshire seacoast region, employing more than 5,000 workers and generating approximately $661 million in annual economic output for the region.  We will continue to work together to advocate for the yard and its skilled and dedicated workforce.”

Following the shipyard visit, General Dempsey and New Hampshire delegation members were scheduled to visit Pease Air National Guard Base to receive a briefing on the New Hampshire National Guard’s Deployment Cycle Support Program and meet with New Hampshire defense suppliers.

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