Shaheen & Hassan Participate in Change of Command Ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Senators Shaheen and Hassan deliver remarks at the Change of Command Ceremony at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard earlier today.

(Portsmouth, NH) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) delivered remarks at the Change of Command ceremony this morning at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which recognized Captain Daniel Ettlich for his service and leadership at the Shipyard and welcomed Captain Michael Oberdorf as the next Commander.

“I was honored to participate in today’s ceremony, which recognized Captain Ettlich for his steadfast leadership of Shipyard workers, including during the most difficult times for our workforce amid the COVID pandemic,” said Senator Shaheen. “While many could work from home during the crisis, Shipyard workers showed up every day to ensure our military readiness would not fall behind as our nation experienced the greatest challenge of a generation. I appreciate all Captain Ettlich has done on behalf of our workers and the Shipyard, which plays a pivotal part of New Hampshire’s role in support of our national defense. I congratulate Captain Ettlich for completing his mission and wish him fair winds and following seas. And to Captain Obderdorf: welcome aboard. I look forward to working together on behalf of the Shipyard and the men and women who keep it running.”

“Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has played a major role throughout our history in keeping Americans safe at home and abroad, and it continues to do so today,” said Senator Hassan. “I am constantly impressed by the hard work and professionalism of Shipyard workers, who even through a pandemic, maintained the Shipyard’s standard of excellence and worked to keep our country safe. I am grateful to Captain Ettlich for his service, including his work to break ground on the Multi-Mission Dry Dock project, which is critical to modernizing the Shipyard. I look forward to working with the Shipyard’s new commander, Captain Oberdorf, to help ensure that the Shipyard has the support it needs to continue its vital mission.”

A senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which writes the annual defense legislation, Shaheen has long fought to secure key Shipyard priorities and bolster its programming and projects. In September, Shaheen and Hassan joined Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro for the groundbreaking of the multi-mission dry dock project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Shaheen has historically secured authorization and federal funding for the multi-mission dry dock project. In the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Shaheen again secured these investments, which includes $475 million in funding for the multi-mission dry dock project. 

In addition to her leadership through the Senate Armed Services Committee on annual defense legislation, Shaheen also prioritizes other legislation in the Senate in support of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. This includes the Supplying Help to Infrastructure in Ports, Yards, and America’s Repair Docks (SHIPYARD) Act of 2021, which she introduced last year with Senator Wicker (R-MS) and is cosponsored by Hassan. The SHIPYARD Act would provide $25 billion to make investments needed to optimize, improve and rebuild shipyard facilities, electrical infrastructure, environmental systems, and the equipment of public and private shipyards in the U.S. that support the U.S. Navy fleet. Shaheen and Wicker are co-chairs of the Senate Navy Caucus.

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