WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., met Wednesday with a top Navy official to reinforce the importance of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Sununu met with Vice Adm. Paul Sullivan, new commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command, which oversees operation of the nation’s shipyards.

Sununu said he told Sullivan the yard deserves a full and stable workload to remain an important part of national security. He also said he suggested the strong relationship between management and workers at the yard be allowed to thrive as the Defense Department implements a new personnel system for civilian employees.