Will The U.S. Start Basing Its Aircraft Carriers Overseas?

The U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) transit the Pacific Ocean prior to conducting a hull-swap. The force structure change allows George Washington to undergo its mid-life refueling complex overhaul and Ronald Reagan to support the security and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro

The Diplomat: Will the United States Base 2 Aircraft Carriers in Japan?

A new study suggests that basing more ships overseas will help the overstretched U.S. Navy meet its global commitments.

WASHINGTON — With the US Navy stretched beyond its means to meet worldwide commitments, planners are looking at ways to get more operational time out of the ships, aircraft and sailors on hand. One solution, says an influential analyst, is to consider basing not just one, but two aircraft carriers in Japan.

A second carrier in Japan would solve all western Pacific carrier needs, Bryan Clark, a naval analyst with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, said Tuesday, a day before presenting his findings at a Capitol Hill press conference.

“Not having the transit time from the West Coast saves about 20 percent in the deployment length,” Clark said, adding that his research shows a two-carrier force would result in a 1.4 presence factor, meaning at least one carrier would be available every month of a year, with both carriers available an additional four months.

Time offline includes maintenance and overhaul periods.

Update #1: Two USN Carriers in Japan? (Dedense News)
Update #2: More Ships Can’t Save Overworked Navy; Basing Ships Abroad Can: CSBA (Breaking Defense)

WNU Editor: Its not going to happen. These naval vessels are also economic generators for the communities that they are based in .... the politicians would never permit it.