thanks, and I don’t doubt that the USS Eisenhower packs absolutely extraordinary powers with the 61 aircraft.... just wondering if it is considered optimal to operate with fewer than 80-85 or if this is purely an ‘economy’ measure on behalf of other parts of the federal budget, i.e., Obozo’s own priorities.
If 61 or so is now typical for all of the Nimitz class carriers, how long has that been the case and why the change? (if indeed it was a change?)
The Navy might well choose to lower operating costs in this way when faced with extreme pressures on other parts of their budget, but what is lost? Do we really have all of the aircraft, pilots, and crews we are ‘supposed’ to have on paper?
Just wondering whether the USN is being forced to operate with less resources than it should have? May not be a problem in relatively ‘normal’ operations over current Afghanistan but what happens if things suddenly flare up with Iran or N. Korea or Taiwan etc.? Why should a US carrier be operating with only 3/4 of its potential air wing, unless there is a sound military reason for doing so? Maybe there is, I have no idea, just asking the questions for knowledgeable FReepers......
Maybe the 85 includes helicopters.