Obama’s Unready Navy: Multi-decade neglect has sent our Navy into decline

National Review ^ | 10/24/2012 | Harold Hutchison

[bmwcyle]

Issue and RFQ for, award, develop and begin building a force of 24 stealthy, AIP diesel electric subs for littoral water warfare.

We have needed these submarines for years.

[tanknetter]

I agree completely. The USN has two old decommissioned SSBNs (Lafayette class boats iirc) in Charleston SC as reactor trainers. I dontvsee why the USN couldn’t just keep Enterprise and use her in that role. She’d be able to provide 4x the reactors for classes, plus have all sorts of additional space for classrooms.

[chessplayer]

Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush Jr. are also responsible.

[ex-snook]

Wonder who will be competent to operate a larger fleet. Annapolis probably has a multitude of majors other than surface warfare. Reports have also circulated that less than qualified candidates have been admitted.

[trebb]

The Modern DECLINE of MY United States Navy BEGAN with George HW Bush and HIS SEC DEFENSE CHENEY.

Do you mean the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act (with sequestration and passed by Congress a number of years before it actually was allowed to take effect?) Was it veto-proof? I was in the AF at the time and knew that it would result in cuts because it was accompanied by a big change in the rating systems whcih meant that many folks would be disallowed reenlistment. It reared its head during Reagan's Admin and he wouldn't cut military spending or raise taxes as their push to balance the budget caused both parties to stand their ground. I didn't follow all the issues at the time and it kept being pushed back until HW's hapless tenure - not sure what he could have done to stop it.

[WOSG]

The Berlin Wall fell.

It was called a peace dividend.

[John S Mosby]

There are two types of naval vessels, in the humble opinion of the US’s Silent Service (Submariners).

Submarines and targets. Deo Vindice.

[John S Mosby]

What do you mean? The nude commodore: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/04/navy-bahrain-bash-commodore-david-geisler-040812w/

Or, the criminal fraud new female (formerly only male served) submarine officers?:http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/03/navy-female-submarine-fraud-investigation-030212w/

Or the inimitable screaming looney Capt. Holly Graf, fortunately run out of the Navy?:http://www.susankatzkeating.com/2010/01/captain-holly-graf-plows-down-whale.html

This is some REAL leadership in the brown and black shoe Navy. That and queers who insist on “their space”.
Top to bottom cleanup needed.

[neverdem]

BTTT!

[Jeff Head]

Yep. We can learn a lot form some of our allies on this.

With these vessels, we would not have to send in one of our larger, much more heavily manned, and much more expensive Virginia Class into such shallow water to try and do the same job.

And they would be a natural to work in concert with the LCS in that environment.

[Taxman]

I would argue that Johnson and MacNamara did far more damage to the US Navy than Dick Cheney.

[US Navy Vet]

Don’t forget Zumwalt!

[rmlew]

We don’t have a $25,000,000,000 Economy. I wish we did.

[Taxman]

How could I?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SeekAndFind.

[knife6375]

zummies, remember them well.

[rmlew]

The War on Terror has siphoned off funds that would've gone to ship building, aircraft procurement, etc. The time is approaching when the Navy is going to have to employ a different strategy. An aircraft carrier is great, but it needs 40 ships around it to protect and support it. That's a lot of bucks.
We have 11 carriers and 285 ships. Even without thinking, your assertion is preposterous. Now here is the reality. By 40, you mean 5: a Ticonderoga class cruiser, 3 Arleigh Burke Destroyers, and a nuclear submarine (Los Angeles, Seawolf or Virginia). Then we have one of 2 replenishment vessels.

[The Sons of Liberty]

When we have to go up against a modern Navy, perhaps the Chi-Coms in a few years, I’m afraid all those carriers are going to be death traps, as they overwhelm them with anti-ship missiles.

[rmlew]

When we have to go up against a modern Navy, perhaps the Chi-Coms in a few years, I’m afraid all those carriers are going to be death traps, as they overwhelm them with anti-ship missiles.
Now if only those carriers had escorts designed to shoot down missiles and fighters designed to take out bomberas and incomming missiles.

What is your alternative to the CVBG?