[cva66snipe]

We have only one of four former ship Builders capable of building even a conventional carrier left. The remaining one sits within same air strike range as the Atlantic Fleet Carriers piers. We have only two yards {one east and one west} as far as I know other than Newport News in the CONUS who can even service the ones we have. Worse some planning genius decided this fall would be an ideal time to place 3 of our carriers all in one ship yard at the same time. That is one fourth of of entire carrier fleet in a place where they can not if under attack get out. Whether we use it or not we need another yard capable of producing at least a conventional carrier.

Major mistakes were make and are still being made as no one is learning from past mistakes and disasters. There seems to be an arrogance that it can't happen again to us. Sec of Def Dick Cheney for example ended production of the F-14. Ending production is one thing. Destroying the capabilities to produce again if needed in the future is quite another.

CNO Borda warned congress in 1993 the numbers on ships were getting too low. Of course Clinton /Aspin didn't listen either.

[cva66snipe]

But why if it was wrong for Clinton is it right for Bush. Look at this oldie but goodie warning. Navy Shipbuilding Plan Falls Short; Critics Voice "Concern and Frustration"

[Paul Ross]

There seems to be an arrogance that it can't happen again to us.

Bump. Agreed. And interesting that you mentioned this...

Sec of Def Dick Cheney for example ended production of the F-14. Ending production is one thing. Destroying the capabilities to produce again if needed in the future is quite another.

You likely know Cheney did more than simply end production. While SecDef...Cheney ordered destroyed in 1991 the titanium-casting "forms" for the F-14. These huge special forms had been custom-manufactured. Crucial to make the titanium-wing-boxes for the F-14 (and represented a huge R&D investment in their own right)... They were the key to ever building more F-14s or improved updated variants thereof...now all F-14s have to be retired due to extreme age and wear and tear. And I probably don't need to tell you that nothing either on our decks currently, in the works, or on any CAD/CAM station can do what they did.