The aircraft carriers USS George Washington (CVN 73), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) sit across from the USS Midway Museum in San Diego Bay. The presence of three carriers is a nod toward the historic hull and crew swap taking place between George Washington, which will now be home ported in San Diego, and Ronald Reagan, which will now be the forward-deployed carrier in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea D. Daily)
Hugh Lessig, Daily Press: Rep. Forbes says carrier fleet 'numbers don't add up' when considering worldwide threats
The U.S. aircraft carrier fleet is "a little bit behind the power curve" after years of strain, a Navy admiral said Tuesday, prompting lawmakers to ask if the Pentagon should build more of the nuclear-powered ships.
The testimony at a House Armed Services hearing put a different spin on the debate about the future of aircraft carriers. Some politicians, notably Sen. John McCain, have pushed the Navy to consider smaller, less expensive alternatives to the multibillion-dollar ships.
The House panel — which combined two subcommittees chaired by congressmen from Hampton Roads — depicted a carrier fleet that is too small to meet emerging threats.
Comparing the current size of the fleet to what is required, "the numbers just don't add up," said Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Chesapeake. The hearing combined members of his sea power panel with the readiness subcommittee chaired by Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland.
WNU Editor: The US Navy is having problems in explaining this .... U.S. Navy Informs Congress To Expect More 'Carrier Gaps' In Middle East And The Asia Pacific
Update: This is sobering .... Navy: Half the Carrier Fleet Tied Up In Maintenance, Other 5 Strained To Meet Demands (USNI News)
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