NAVSTA Everett Breaks Ground for New Training Facility
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090225-19
Release Date: 2/25/2009 10:34:00 AM
From Naval Station Everett Public Affairs
EVERETT, Wash (NNS) -- Naval Station Everett hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 22,000-square foot training facility, the Fleet Region Readiness Center, Feb 20.
More than 100 Navy personnel and Department of Defense employees attended the ceremony, including U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall, and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who served as guest speaker.
"This training center is really the product of tremendous teamwork, and it is a real testament to the dedication of everyone in this community who supports this base and the Sailors who call it home," said Murray. "This Fleet Region Readiness Center will create 200 new jobs. It will ensure that our Sailors get the in-depth training that they need, and it is a great economic investment to the people of Everett and Snohomish County."
Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) will be the primary user of the new facility, which will support approximately 50 courses of instruction with an estimated annual student throughput of 2,000. The increase in technology and training capabilities will provide the potential to more than double course offerings from what is now possible. This will significantly improve the quality of life for fleet Sailors home ported at Everett by decreasing their time spent away from home.
"I am fortunate to have a state-of-the-art schoolhouse in which to train the crews of the submarines that call the Pacific Northwest their home," said Capt. Daniel Prince, commanding officer of the Trident Training Facility at Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor. "With the presence of this Fleet Region Readiness Center here in Everett, we'll be far better able to provide that same quality of training for our surface ship Sailors, and to assist Adm. Swift (Rear Adm. Scott Swift, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine) in meeting his responsibility for the training and readiness of his Strike Group."
Three Navy training centers under NETC will use this schoolhouse, the Center for Surface Combat Systems, Center for Service Support, and Center for Information Dominance. Those three centers will collectively train Sailors in the use of Navy weapons systems, information technology and Navy logistics.
In addition to those functions, Navy's Center for Personal and Professional Development will use the classrooms for off-duty continuing education classes, helping Sailors get college degrees through voluntary education programs. The facility will also be used to host events such as the Naval War College's seminar program.
"When it comes to directly supporting the fleet, which is the mission of Naval Station Everett, there are probably no activities more important than training," said Capt. Tom Mascolo, commanding officer of Naval Station Everett. "When the going gets tough, training will make the difference between success and failure. I take great pride in this project getting underway and thank all those who have brought us to this day."
This training facility joins two other major projects in support of the Everett Navy. The new bachelor enlisted barracks is nearing completion. Housing 500 single Sailors, it is scheduled for occupation in April. And the new, long-promised 141-unit public/private venture family housing located in the city of Lake Stevens has been launched. The first units are scheduled to be available when school opens this fall.
"These construction efforts are for the most part direct quality of life enhancements for both single and married Sailors," Mascolo said. "They are examples of where the Navy and its communities have worked hard to ensure Sailors have the kind of lives that allow them to concentrate on doing what they are trained to do and do best – defending our country."
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