BB reactivation
Ive been reading, listening and debating about this subject this subject since 1990. After nearly 14 years I don t know if I have much to add but here are a coupla thoughts.
The people issue We have four old AOEs(600 crew apiece)(the four newest( 3 are now) will be MSC by summer 2004) that should be decom or transferred to MSC. We have 4 Command ships and 2 tenders that(AFAIK) are stationary most of the time that could be temporarily downgraded to Reduced Operating Status in certain areas. Not to mention skilled ENG rates off the recently retired USS Constellation and the 2 Anchorage class LSDs and one next year. Thats alot of ENG personnel, Bosun Mates, Admin & support rates, not to mention sources of young Seaman and Fireman from all those sources. GMs may be a problem but the NRF and retired ranks will have to provide many of these especially for the 16' guns anyway. Also I would reduce the OHPs by 8-18 again providing a great source of personnel including many GMs among other ratings and officers.
A non-issue if you ask me.
The money issue Well if you look above alot of money will be saved there and the Navy and Congress between them should be able to come up with the rest. Again for me a non-issue.
Escort issue With the finally operational ESGs(btw envisioned in some form for over 20 years at least). Look at the "Conceptual U.S. Navy Surface Combatant Formations" from the House, Committee on Armed Services Hearings of March 1982 to get a sense of why this too is a non-issue.
The BBs utility of course will remain a question for many. If their 16" guns can only fire some 20 miles inland then that of course is a good question. As compared to the reach of Aviation and Missles. People will also question how they fit into OMFTS and the RMA. Those are questions that should be debated. Also the fact that 3 are virtual museums and the fourth, well Im not convinced that it is in the best of shape although I hope Im wrong. Everything else is excuses IMHO.
Ive been reading, listening and debating about this subject this subject since 1990. After nearly 14 years I don t know if I have much to add but here are a coupla thoughts.
The people issue We have four old AOEs(600 crew apiece)(the four newest( 3 are now) will be MSC by summer 2004) that should be decom or transferred to MSC. We have 4 Command ships and 2 tenders that(AFAIK) are stationary most of the time that could be temporarily downgraded to Reduced Operating Status in certain areas. Not to mention skilled ENG rates off the recently retired USS Constellation and the 2 Anchorage class LSDs and one next year. Thats alot of ENG personnel, Bosun Mates, Admin & support rates, not to mention sources of young Seaman and Fireman from all those sources. GMs may be a problem but the NRF and retired ranks will have to provide many of these especially for the 16' guns anyway. Also I would reduce the OHPs by 8-18 again providing a great source of personnel including many GMs among other ratings and officers.
A non-issue if you ask me.
The money issue Well if you look above alot of money will be saved there and the Navy and Congress between them should be able to come up with the rest. Again for me a non-issue.
Escort issue With the finally operational ESGs(btw envisioned in some form for over 20 years at least). Look at the "Conceptual U.S. Navy Surface Combatant Formations" from the House, Committee on Armed Services Hearings of March 1982 to get a sense of why this too is a non-issue.
The BBs utility of course will remain a question for many. If their 16" guns can only fire some 20 miles inland then that of course is a good question. As compared to the reach of Aviation and Missles. People will also question how they fit into OMFTS and the RMA. Those are questions that should be debated. Also the fact that 3 are virtual museums and the fourth, well Im not convinced that it is in the best of shape although I hope Im wrong. Everything else is excuses IMHO.
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