SPECIAL SECTION: STATE OF THE US NAVY 2007

STATE OF THE US NAVY 2007

Part One of a profile on where the US Navy stands as we head out of 2007 and into the uncertainties of 2008. This instalment
includes:

IN THE LEAD BUT BOGGED DOWN WITH EXPENSIVE DISTRACTIONS
Special Correspondent David Axe considers the good and bad news about where America’s Navy-Marine Corps team finds itself today.

“THE CONFLICTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WILL ONE DAY END. WE MUST BE READY FOR WHO AND WHAT COMES AFTER”
The new chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, warns of the toll taken on people & equipment, which
hampers America’s ability to square up to rising threats.

FUTURE MARITIME STRATEGY MUST DOMINATE AIR, LAND AND SEA
The US Navy’s 2003 Iraq War naval commander says the USA must be able to “dominate in any scenario in all environments
without exception”.

NO FORWARD PRESENCE WITHOUT RAPPAHANNOCK
Special Correspondent Guy Toremans reports from aboard the Henry J. Kaiser Class fleet oiler USNS Rappahannock in the
Gulf, as she continued to provide key support to Coalition naval forces.

PRAYING MANTIS: SHAPE OF BATTLES TO COME?
If strikes are launched against suspected nuclear weapons development sites in Iran by America, there is likely to be conflict at
sea in the Gulf.  However, battles between Iranian and American naval forces are nothing new and the last time the two clashed
it was the most intensive sea combat involving the US Navy since WW2. In an adapted extract from his book ‘Strike From the Sea’,
Iain Ballantyne tells the story of that battle, which gives some insight into what might be expected today, should Iran be provoked
to lash out. ‘Strike From the Sea’ (Pen & Sword Maritime) is also available from HPC Publishing, the publishers of this magazine.

Photo: US Navy.