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4w ago

U.S. Navy Seeks Enduring SOUTHCOM Response That Doesn’t Rely on Carriers

The push reflects carrier scarcity driven by global demands.

(July 18, 2012) - The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) moves into formation for a photo exercise during the Great Green Fleet Demonstration as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Nimitz is currently underway participating in RIMPAC. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun. 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran/RELEASED)
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Overview

  • Adm. Daryl Caudle urged a standing naval package for U.S. Southern Command that would not require an aircraft carrier.
  • He said scarce carriers should be held for power projection in higher‑risk theaters, noting Congress mandates 11 carriers and about a third are in maintenance.
  • Options under discussion include a forward staging base, a littoral combat ship for coastal patrols, or an amphibious transport dock carrying a Marine response unit.
  • Caudle called drug interdiction the region’s main job and said maritime domain awareness — knowing in real time what is at sea — is the crucial need.
  • Recent operations underscored the stakes, with Navy–Coast Guard teams striking 47 trafficking targets and about 160 people killed during last year’s surge.