U.S. Mulls Stationing 2 Carriers in Japan(much closer to China than Hawaii)

Chosun Ilbo ^ | 05/05/05

[TigerLikesRooster]

I thought they should base carriers closer to China. Hawaii is too far away.

[Brilliant]

Just so they don't line them up like they did at Pearl Harbor.

[Calpernia]

ping

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[carrier-aviator]

The Japanese are very averse to nuclear-powered ships. The only carriers the US has ever stationed there have been oil-burners.

The USN only has only two oil-burning carriers left: the Kitty Hawk (which is based in Japan now, and soon to be retired), and the John F. Kennedy (also on the Navy's short list for retirement).

So, whichever one or two carriers we propose basing in Japan will be nukes. The Japanese government will get buffeted by lefties and other assorted kooks if it gives the US the basing rights.

[Carry_Okie]

I don't know about the carriers, but crusiers and boomers are certainly in order.

[Poundstone]

We are not going to base a second carrier battle group in Japan. Take my word for it.

The "Chosun Ilbo" is hardly a reliable source of news, anyway. The South Korean newspapers are worse than National Enquirer!

[ProudVet77]

This is a smart move. One will always be at sea, the other will be ready on short notice. Unllike Pearl Harbor the guys that read radar screens have credibility. Put an Aegis class ship in the harbor and we have 200+ SAM missiles to take out any intruders. A 2nd Aegis gives another 200+ missiles. Also if they forward deploy the air wings we have a lot of F-18s out there.
The only issue will be if the Japanese allow homeporting of a nuclear vessel. But the way things are going with China we are cheap insurance for them.

[Al Gator]

Think the Philippines would reconsider Subic? Its still there and mostly intact. I know it has turned into quite a resort, but the Cubi point section could still be used since it has deep port capability.

It would be interesting!!

[ProudVet77]

While the paper may be junk, it's an interesting issue to put in fron of the Japanese people. Japan is close to getting ready to arm with nuclear weapons if the NKs and ChiComs keep cranking things up.
Don't be surprised if they go for it. Sasebo is their weak spot as well.

[phrogphlyer]

I've been to Sasebo and Iwakuni. Neither one of those places is nearly big enough to base a carrier or an air wing. I can't believe they would consider putting two in there.

[datura]

Why not just transfer our troops out of S Korea, and station them on Taiwan? South Korea doesn't want them there, so by moving them we will have freed our hand in dealing with the DPRK as well as told the PLA to just forget about Taiwan.

[carrier-aviator]

Works for me, but as you know, the terms of dropping Taiwan from diplomatic recognition in 1979 and replacing with the Chicoms forbids ANY official interaction with Taipei.

[TXBSAFH]

This is where our next naval war will be. Might as well set up shop there.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #7

Note that it is relaying information from Tokyo Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper. You are going overboard. Exactly what made you think that their report is junk. To me, they are doing no worse than any other paper.

[An Old Marine]

And Japan may be too close. It makes first strike too easy. In any event we need to build more carriers, support ships, and subs. We also need to do more joint training with the Japaese Navy.

[6SJ7]

Interesting. Iwakuni is across from the Korean Strait.

[GOP_1900AD]

This is good, however, the carriers ought to be backfilled by newly built ones that are kept out of the range of DF-21s.

[GOP_1900AD]

I'll see you and raise you a SEATO ....

[GOP_1900AD]

Tear up the treaty.