Nelson: Name ship after P.C.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has written to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to request a Navy ship be named after Panama City. According to a letter dated Thursday, “Panama City has a long history in Mine Warfare beginning in 1945 when the Navy moved the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station to Florida.” The mission, size and responsibilities for the activity has expanded to meet the military’s needs. The Navy operation in Panama City more recently has played a key role in development of the Littoral Combat Ship Mine Hunting and Mine Neutralization missions, the letter said. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 04/20/12)