Lawmakers: Navy to homeport newest aircraft carrier in Va.

NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia's congressional delegation says the Navy has agreed to homeport its newest aircraft carrier in Norfolk.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is under construction in Newport News. It is the numerical replacement for the USS Enterprise, which was also based in Norfolk. The Ford is expected to join the fleet in 2016, bringing the total number of U.S. aircraft carriers back up to 11.

In a joint statement, lawmakers said designating Norfolk at the ship's homeport would temporarily boost the region's economy. That's because the USS Abraham Lincoln isn't expected to return to the West Coast until its overhaul is completed in 2018. Each ship is manned by thousands of sailors.

The statement also says the Navy has agreed to homeport four amphibious ships in Virginia Beach through 2020.

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