[Non-Sequitur]

There's alot of talk about reducing to 10 CSGs...that would be another downsizing mistake IMHO, particularly in light of the Chinese buildup.

Probably fewer than that. You figure that by 2008 you'll have the 10 Nimitz class plus the Enterprise. At any one time you have 2 undergoing SLEP/refueling so you'll only have 9 available at any one time.

[Jeff Head]

I am talking about a total force of ten...which means you may have six or seven available at one time. As it is, with twelve, we can have eight or nine available.

A big mistake IMHO, to reduce any further. I'd rather see 14-16. With China's buildup, and the other threats we face, we should maintain as close to an unassailable edge as possible.

...and with all the hundreds of billions waisted on PC, liberal, social give aways, both domestic and foreign, we have more than enough money if we had the will.