The United States has enjoyed control of the seas since World War II. Even the Royal Navy at the height of her power could not claim the same. While control does not require constant presence, we must be able to send ships in harm’s way on short notice anywhere in the world. Our fleet is built around the carrier task force and our current establishment limits our ability to put carriers where we need them at any given time. When our ships disappear over the horizon, the bad guys can come out to play.
First of all, I am in favor of a strong military. But right now, the Feds are borrowing 40% of the money they spend. They are taxing my unborn grandchildren for the things we want, not need, right now.
What conceivable naval threat requires the USN to have 11 CVNs, 22 Ticonderoga class CGs, 61 Arleigh Burke class DDGs (cruisers by any other name), 19 OHP FFGs, 55 SSNs, 4 SSGNs, ~400 F/A-18A/B/C/D, ~500 F/A-18E/Fs, and ~100 EA-18Gs?
Are we planning on fighting all the navies of the world? At the same time?
I know there is a need to build new ships as the current ones age and wear out, and to upgrade technology, but, for the foreseeable future, we have no rivals on the ocean. We cannot constantly maintain a navy capable of fighting the entire world. Also, we can’t really afford $3.45 billion dollar “destroyers” (in comparison, the current class of CVN costs $9 billion per unit; new Arleigh Burkes cost ~$1.85 billion).
In order to get the fiscal house in order, EVERYBODY has to take a hit. That includes the military.