Does The U.S. Need More Aircraft Carriers?

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, bottom, and the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, top, conduct a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge in the Arabian Gulf, March 6, 2012. The Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans

This Week At War: Does The U.S. Need More Aircraft Carriers? -- Robert Haddick, Foreign Policy

The Pentagon sure wants more $15 billion boats, but it may have to look for other options.

A May 21 article in the Daily Beast claimed that, in January, Marine Gen. James Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, requested that the Pentagon send a third aircraft carrier strike group (comprising an aircraft carrier and about five escort ships) to the Persian Gulf region. According to the article, Mattis's request was denied, citing President Barack Obama's desire to focus military resources elsewhere, especially in the Pacific.

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My Comment: Does the U.S. need more aircraft carriers? The short answer is probably yes .... but defense budget shortfalls and budget cuts will not make this possible.