U.S. Navy Does Not Have The Money To Fuel An Aircraft Carrier

The aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) are in port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. US Navy Photo

Navy: Lincoln Refueling Delayed, Will Hurt Carrier Readiness -- USNI

The U.S. Navy will delay the refueling of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for an unknown period because of the uncertain fiscal environment due to the ongoing legislative struggle, the service told Congress in a Friday message obtained by USNI News.

Lincoln was scheduled to be moved to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipyard later this month to begin the 4-year refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the ship.

“This delay is due to uncertainty in the Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations bill, both in the timing and funding level available for the first full year of the contract,” the message said.
“CVN-72 will remain at Norfolk Naval Base where the ships force personnel will continue to conduct routine maintenance until sufficient funding is received for the initial execution of the RCOH.”

Read more ....

Update #1: Navy delays overhaul of aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln due to budget concerns -- Washington Post/AP
Update #2: U.S. Navy Nuclear Refueling Postponed Due To Budget Crisis -- Defense News

My Comment: Regular readers of this blog know that I have been predicting this for the past year and a half. Due to America's horrid debt and fiscal situation, there is simply not enough money to maintain the US Navy (and the other services) to the standards that our military and political leaders want. And as for the future .... in terms of cuts we have seen nothing yet. The U.S. deficit is still 'north' of $1 trillion, and entitlements are still out of control .... and when the political will (or when the system collapses) is reached to solve this crisis (probably in the next 5 - 10 years) .... it would not surprise me if the US Navy will be half of what it is today.