Navy Picks Pacific Homeport For Future Frigates: Hello, China

WASHINGTON: The Navy’s announcement yesterday afternoon that it will base its first 12 frigates in the Pacific Northwest sends a clear signal to China. While the new Constellation-class frigates could deploy anywhere around the world – the slender ships fit easily through the Panama Canal – having their homeport in Naval Station Everett, just north of Seattle, makes it much easier for them to deploy to the Pacific. It also makes them readily available for operations in the Arctic, where the US is increasingly concerned about China’s influence, as well as Russia’s.

The primary purpose of the frigate class is to affordably bulk up the Navy’s surface fleet, as a cheaper complement to the larger Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the current workhorse of the fleet. The Navy has struggled to procure and maintain enough warships to patrol disputed waters worldwide, such as the South China Sea, and to respond to crises, let alone have time to train for a major war. As a result, Burke crews have been stretched thin, which contributed to two ship-crippling collisions in 2017.

Naval Station Everett is currently homeport to five Arleigh Burkes. While the frigates are smaller and significantly different ships, they share some key systems. Both house their offensive and defense missiles in the standard Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, and both use versions of the Aegis combat system to control their weapons. That should simplify maintenance of the mixed force at Everett. In addition, the officers and sailors for both types of ships come from the Navy’s surface warfare community, so there’ll be commonalities in training as well.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is also in the Seattle area, easing training with Navy air units.

The local congressman, senior House Armed Services Committee member Rick Larsen, was quick to praise the move. “The Navy’s decision to homeport 12 Constellation-class frigates and crew at Naval Station Everett shows the Navy’s long-term commitment to Everett and Snohomish County,” Larsen said in a statement. “Everett has long been known as ‘the Sailor’s Choice’ for its strategic location, natural deep-water port, modern infrastructure, new shipyards and supportive community. I look forward to hearing more about the Navy’s decision and will continue to work with the Navy, the Port and the City of Everett to ensure the success of Navy missions and to drive local and regional economic growth.”

The first frigate, the USS Constellation, will be delivered to the Navy in 2026. The service has already exercised the contract option for the second ship, USS Congress.