US moving Navy destroyers off coast of Libya

CNN ^ | 9/12/2012 | Barbara Starr

[Palmetto Patriot]

Two US Navy warships are moving towards the coast of Libya, two US officials tell CNN. The destroyers are the USS Laboon and the USS McFaul. Both ships are equipped with tomahawk missiles that could be used if a strike was ordered. Tomahawks are satellite-guided cruise missiles that can be programmed to hit specific targets.

[dfwgator]

What exactly is Obama trying to accomplish here, to get the entire nation of Libya pissed off at us?

[KC_Lion]

No No No, what I was saying was, the Iowa Class have been involved in every American War except for our current War on Terror.

All Four Iowa's served in Korea.

Only New Jersey Served in Vietnam.

Then New Jersey served again in Lebanon.

Finally Wisconsin and Missouri fought in the Gulf.

Iowa hasn't fired her guns in anger since Korea, but that is beside the point.

The Point is that our current "destroyers" (everything is a destroyer now a days, that really grinds my gears) are a bunch of think skinned missile boxes filled with Chinese made crap just waiting to go "boom" once they are hit.

[SandRat]

Skimmers the bubble heads like to sight in the periscope.

I want the BBs back.

[KC_Lion]

Whoa, You lost me there for a second. Had to look that up.

The Battleships and Carriers need protection from Submarines and small craft.

So yes destroyers are suppose to hunt and "destroy" enemy submarines and torpedo boats.

But now they have grown so large and expensive they become ill suited for that task and instead become vulnerable to the very things they are suppose to be a counter measure against.

I.E. The U.S.S. Cole.

The navy needs to get its head out of its ass and build some real ships

I blame this partially on the fact that the U.S. Navy (or any navy save the Falklands war) has not had a stand up Surface Battle in 70 Years.

The Army, Marines, and Air Force (Navy Planes too, But I am talking about a Fleet engagement) all have been through the crucible of what does/not work in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

While the U.S. Navy remains, well, adrift, with no Battle Fleet experience since WW2.

Very Dangerous situation if a first rate enemy challenges them.

I want the BBs back.

You and me both brother.

[KC_Lion]

Oh, one more thing before you jump me on the air force.

They had everything right from about 1981 until well today.

They learned the lesson of Vietnam of having mission specific Aircraft (F-15's solely for Air Superiority, A-10's solely for ground attack etc) but because they haven't been challenged since the First Gulf War, they are staring to lasp into jack of all trades master of none territory again al la The F-35 Do-Nothing-Fighter.

That is why I pray the F-22 gets revived soon, Air Superiority, once lost is very hard to get back.

[Myrddin]

Dad made Commander in time. His patrol gunboat hydrofoil program (Flagstaff & Tucumcari) did an impressive job for the SEALs. He served as XO of the destroyer Marshall, destroyer tender Prairie, XO/CO of the Arlington (communications ship refitted from the aircraft carrier Saipan) and XO of 32nd St Naval Station (San Diego). He also served on the Randolph (aircraft carrier) where he set a new standard for placement of blast deflectors on the flight deck. When he arrived, one of the blast deflectors put the blast right up on the bridge when aircraft were launched. He refitted to direct both sides away from the bridge. It was a good career. He spent time on the ground in South Korea teaching the Marines the fine art of counter battery artillery techniques.

[jmacusa]

The main magazine in the Yamato blew as it went down, it’s in pieces. Surely you jest though. A lot on brave Navy fliers put that thing at the bottom of the sea and some paid the ultimate price to put it there. Let it rot.