Hurricane Gustav Response Preparations

As Hurricane Gustav approaches the Gulf of Mexico the DoD is preparing its response. This article lays out all the DoD preparations, but we note the last paragraph is the naval response being prepared.

Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., has given direction to three amphibious ships -- the USS Bataan, the USS Nassau and the USS Ponce -- to be prepared to sortie if needed. The command also has at its disposal additional communications, engineering, and aviation units.

It is an interesting combination of ships. The USS Nassau (LHA 4) just returned from deployment a few weeks ago, while the USS Bataan (LHD 5) is probably the next Atlantic fleet LHD to forward deploy. USS Ponce (LPD 15) returned earlier this year with the Kearsarge ESG.

There are reasons why we constantly call for more amphibious ships, the op-tempo doesn't match the priority. The LPD-4s are getting very old, very fast and the LPD-17s are coming online very slow. The USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Peleliu (LHA 5) are both on scheduled deployments, while the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) is on a soft power mission for SOUTHCOM. The USS Tarawa (LHA 1) is currently under way in the Pacific after completing Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2008 military exercises on Aug. 22.

We only have 10 LHA/LHDs in inventory. With the Essex ESG fall cruise to begin in about a month or so, if the three ships named above have to deploy for hurricane response, that would mean 6 of the ten LHA/LHDs would be on deployment, leaving the forward deployed Essex, the USS Boxer (LHD 4), and the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) available. The USS Wasp (LHD 1) is still in dry dock, being fixed up to support MV-22s.

This is another example why we believe Robert Farley has it exactly right, the amphibious ship is the dreadnought of this era. Presidents in the 21st century no longer ask "where are the carriers" because we currently do not face foes at sea that will compete against our naval forces, instead we face challenges on land that require maneuver by sea capable of putting boots on the ground.

Oh that's right, Russia is the big naval threat now... not. Show me evidence Russia wants to go to war with the United States, and I'll entertain the idea.