[RSmithOpt]

That's my whole point. We need it down there. Putin and his neighbors aren't exactly doing things to help with their economies when they harass the Brits and us.

Besides, the Gulf is a large place to patrol with regards to the WOT and the WOD and illegal immigration.

I'd just figure Ms. Kitty would have some years left in her.

Those Navy pilots (bless their hearts) could easily get their monthly flight hr requirements in and still keep a serious eye on things.

With our sats, coastal surface radars and their eyes in the sky (especially the P3 crews), would help keep tabs on the bad guys.

Back in the late '70's, got to go out on the Enterprise out of Pensi as a closely chaperoned guest with other civies for an overnight float and watch nighttime flight training ops. Those pilots and deck dudes have kahunas made of elements not found in most men.

[RSmithOpt]

I’d like to see those ‘under-development’ super sneaky Navy ships they show on the military channel get honed in harassing the drug runners, etc. running around in the Gulf, Cuba, etc.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Tiger Cruise ?

[PAR35]

I'd just figure Ms. Kitty would have some years left in her.

The Kennedy was the one that was supposed to remain in service until 2017 or so, before its sudden retirement. The Kitty Hawk would have needed a major overhaul to have extended its useful life.

After we started this exchange, it occurred to me that what is really needed for that theater are a couple of light carriers loaded with F-35Bs, a few choppers, and perhaps some modified Bell 609s. Something along the lines of a slightly modified Wasp class. Base one in Florida, one somewhere on the central or western Gulf.

And, of course, I've previously advocated a couple of dozen DE subs with AIP for operations in the Gulf, Carribean, and the Western border areas.