Politics & Government

Panetta: Submarines Remain Crucial To Nation's Defense (VIDEO)

Secretary of Defense Visits Electric Boat in Groton

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta visited Electric Boat in Groton Thursday  and told a crowd of more than 200 workers that submarines remain essential to the nation’s defense, and he will work to protect this industrial base.

“You, too, are the patriots that I need to depend on,” Panetta told a crowd gathered outside the shipbuilding plant. He added that he wants Congress to “suck it up, do what’s right for the country,” rather than allow the defense budget to be decimated.

“We elect these people to govern. Not just survive in office, but govern,” he said.

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Panetta visited Electric Boat as the deadline approaches for a congressional "super committee” to agree on a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit. If it fails, the alternative could be billions of cuts in defense spending.

Kenneth DelaCruz, president of the Metal Trades Council which represents 2,200 workers at Electric Boat, said tradesmen face the constant pain of layoffs. The company notified the state Department of Labor earlier this month that it will lay off 52 people from the Groton plant as of Jan. 6.

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This summer, Electric Boat told off in September. The layoffs included carpenters, machinists, pipefitters and sheet metal workers.

“We’ve been going through some tough times, and we’re very concerned that if this committee doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, we’re going to atrophy these skill sets,” he told Panetta.

“I share that concern,” Panetta replied, adding that submarine construction demands workers with specific abilities. “You can’t replicate this stuff,” he said.

Panetta toured the submarine the Mississippi, scheduled to be christened Dec. 3.  The ship was delivered one year ahead of schedule and $50 million under its expected cost.

Panetta said that as he looks for efficiencies in the military, he will have two priorities: protecting the men and women who have served in the military and the industrial base that builds what they need.

"I am not going to hollow out this force," Panetta said, adding that he would grandfather in benefits. "We cannot break faith with people who have served in the military," he said.

Congressman Joseph Courtney said Panetta's tour of the Mississippi gave him a first-hand look at the submarine and the technology it holds.

"I think he was just blown away," Courtney said.


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