A new paper by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) proposes a dangerous turn for the security of our nation; opining that aircraft carriers risk becoming “irrelevant to the conflicts of the time” and should be replaced with smaller ships and unmanned weapons systems [“The case against carriers,” SitRep, March 25]. This argument disregards much-needed flexible response options and broad-based military missions that can only be performed by an able aircraft carrier.
As chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee I am constantly evaluating our nation’s ability to execute our defense strategy. I take very seriously the responsibility of ensuring our all-volunteer force is properly trained and equipped to do the job we ask of them.
Eliminating carriers from the fleet would reduce our military’s readiness and increase national security risks.
A virtual presence, while necessary to operate in a 21st-century environment, does not replace physical presence. I never want to send our forces into a fair fight and I want to limit the threat to the freedom of every American. I believe that deploying global carrier strike groups does more to advance this cause through power projection and presence than any reduction in capability.
As CNAS cites, eliminating carriers from the fleet would reduce the amount of capital investment and training required for service members; however, it would also unquestionably reduce the ability of our nation to respond to myriad situations around the globe.
Carrier assets protect ground forces in a way that a tomahawk missile cannot. They allow the U.S. to operate in theaters around the globe, deterring our would be adversaries and assuring our allies. They are the guarantors of global trade keeping the maritime domain open and free. They are the world’s first responders, on the scene in Fukushima, Haiti, and after Hurricane Katrina. These and numerous other missions are accomplished without basing permission from foreign governments or long ground lines of communications to transport fuel through hostile territory while putting more lives in danger. Carriers are floating, sovereign US territory ready when the nation calls.
Investment in carriers is an investment in a dynamic, ever ready, instrument of American foreign policy. To scrap an asset of national power because it is threatened would be to underestimate the strategic value and national insurance that a carrier provides. I understand the financial situation facing our nation. Congress must strive to be stalwart stewards of our nation’s finances and continue to seek out efficiencies.
However, walking away from our duty to “provide for the common defense” is shortsighted. Every problem on the planet will not be solved by an aircraft carrier; however, they provide an unparalleled capacity for our forces.
Defense Secretary Hagel has announced plans to reevaluate the U.S. military. A new defense strategy should focus on preparing and maintaining a ready force, not on quick fixes that will create devastating limitations for our armed services.
