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Va. gets 15 extra days to rebut carrier move

NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia officials will get some extra time to rebut a Navy study of moving an aircraft carrier and several other ships to Florida.

The Navy this week turned down Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s request to extend by 45 days a public comment period on a proposed overhaul of Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

But Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey said a 15-day extension will allow the state to do more research into the study. Comments are due May 27.

Mayport’s lone carrier was decommissioned in 2007. The Navy has said ships moved to the Jacksonville-area base could come from any port, but Virginia officials think southeast Virginia is the likely choice.