Thursday Reading List

I was going to talk about the ASDS fire, but I don't need to. Check out Bull Nav's coverage on OP-FOR. "One might consider this as the loss of a one-of-a-kind strategic asset." Yep, that sums up my thoughts exactly. This is a huge loss.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could get Bob Work and Norman Polmar to debate it out in public over the future of the Navy similar to how we get to observe John Nagl and Gian Gentle bring forth the good debate regarding the Army. Maybe it is because I am an observer who reads too many history books, but pay attention folks. Many will look back and see John Nagl in the same way we look back on great strategists in our nations past. In other words, the Army has their evangelist, and to his benefit he has very smart opposition in the debate. It is all very healthy for the future Army, just as the absence of a public debate is unhealthy for the future Navy.

Speaking of Norman Polmar and mini-submarines, Norman Polmars latest article on Defense Tech is discussing the Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS) that is intended to replace the submersible Mystic, the Navy's last Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).

David Axe continues to be explain how seapower influences soft power, this time with a little discssion about China. Good stuff. I would only add one thing, the Type 071 has less to do with maritime strategy in Asia and more to do with maritime strategy in Africa and South America. I'll let time prove me right. That ship is not for regional purposes, the PLAN has plenty of amphibious capabilities to cover the regional requirements more effectively and at lower expense.

Finally, don't look now but there are troops massing on the North Korea border. Chinese troops that is.


Photo: SOMALIA (Nov. 9, 2008) The crew of the merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck after a U.S. Navy request to check on their health and welfare. The Belize-flagged cargo ship owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping, Ukraine, was seized by pirates Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. The ship is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related military equipment.