USS Underwood decommissioned at Mayport

The piers at Mayport are emptying as the Navy retires its fast frigates, the USS Underwood this day and the USS Klakring later this month.

That leaves just 14 ships homeported at Mayport. The base can handle up to 34 ships. Recent budget cuts will reduce maintenance contracts for local shipbuilders in the near future.

But a rebound is on the horizon. An amphibious ready group of three ships is headed to Mayport late this year and in 2014, according to Mayport's commanding officer Captain Doug Cochrane. Cochrane is optimistic about Mayport's future.

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