Missile Destroyer to Bring Navy Jobs to San Diego

WASHINGTON — The Navy, in a move expected to bring an infusion of defense funds to Southern California, has chosen San Diego to become the home port of a new guided missile destroyer scheduled to join the fleet in February, two congressmen announced Tuesday.

Reps. Randy Cunningham (R-San Diego) and Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) announced that the arrival of the guided missile destroyer Curtis Wilbur, under construction at a Maine shipyard, will bring 337 military personnel to San Diego and add $8.7 million in annual payroll funds to the area’s economy.

“We’re delighted to see the Navy continue to fulfill its commitment to making San Diego its West Coast mega-port,” the two lawmakers said in a statement. “As the Navy continues to downsize, this particular type of destroyer is critical to the defense of our country and our nation’s interests at sea and overseas.”

The 466-foot vessel will join 79 Navy ships permanently stationed in San Diego. The arrival of the Wilbur will be a relatively small addition to a total Navy payroll that amounts to $3.4 billion annually.