[KarlInOhio]

This shows what happens when you don't have bases around. What happens to our non-nuclear ships if we lose fueling privileges in the Philippines if something was happening in the South China Sea? Do we have enough refueling ships to convoy to Australia, Japan or even all the way to Hawaii?

The carriers and subs would still move, but those carriers would be sitting ducks without destroyers and aircraft.

[PLMerite]

Underway replenishment:

[rlmorel]

The US has 15 or 20 purpose built fleet oilers that are fast, modern, and large. The Russians don’t have any that I am aware of.

We have decades of experience with underway replenishment, the Soviets-er, Russians had barely figured out as late as the Seventies, at the peak of their naval might, to do it any other way other than stern to bow. I am sure they have a little better handle on it now, but doesn’t do you any good if you don’t have an oiler to do it with.

And who stupidly sends a vessel on a voyage without having their logistical ducks in a row like, oh, I don’t know...where are they going to get fuel for a diesel powered capital ship?

Ridiculous.

There are plenty of reasons to be concerned with the trouble Russia can cause around the world, but if there is a shooting war, they may get off a sneak attack, but after that, it isn’t going to go well with them, even with all their super-secret blah-blah-blah super weapon missiles.