We have 11 carriers. 4 are currently deployed. The rest are in port for maintenance, repairs, etc. Not a very high percentage of cruising around, doing “carrier stuff”. I understand that they are complicated, and need maintenance, but less than half of them out in the world at any given time just doesn’t seem reasonable. https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-usa-navy-e7904f8dd1ba1f65a9d07a31fd9fb8eb
“We have 11 carriers. 4 are currently deployed. The rest are in port for maintenance, repairs, etc. I understand that they are complicated, and need maintenance, but less than half of them out in the world at any given time just doesn’t seem reasonable.”
I guess you didn’t read your link! 7/11 = 64%.
FOUR are in for maintenance.
THREE are in pre-deployment training and exercise. One deploys this month and the other two in a a few months.
“We have 11 carriers. 4 are currently deployed.”
I wonder if this is all about maintenance or is there problems crewing these ships.
Except for the fact we used to have more carriers this has always been about the norm. The ships nuke or conventional come out of a year long overhaul, spend about 6-9 months in and out doing work ups, training, inspections for readiness, may include a up to 2 month mini deployment, then head out for a 6-7 month deployment. Upon return they go to either Bremerton or Norfolk Naval shipyard for a 3-4 month maintenance period. They then come out and do the above mentioned cycle two more times and then they require a year long overhaul again or roughly once every 5-6 years. In 3 years and 9 months I made two Six - Seven month deployments, months of workups and inspections at sea, a trip south to RIO, a Carribean sea deployement and one three month yard periods and a year long stint in the yards for overhaul.
What makes the yards take so long is to replace any equipment below the hanger bay anything from galley kettles to electrical switchboards you have to cut the ship open several decks, install, and weld her back up. Just one six month deployment requires things like new ice machines etc. The stuff wears out fast.