Two of the U.S. Navy's global force aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs) are currently conducting operations in the vital Asia-Pacific region.&
Ships of the forward-deployed George Washington CSG, to include the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) and the guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85); coupled with the ships of the John C. Stennis CSG, to include the Bremerton, Wash.-based aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), its embarked CVW 9, and the San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53); are currently patrolling the Western Pacific. They are providing a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the United States and its allies and partners.
The two CSGs are part of a strong U.S. naval presence in the Pacific that has helped to maintain peace and stability in the region as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, which was established 69 years ago. USS John C. Stennis returned to the 7th Fleet's area of operation four months ahead of schedule to maintain combatant commander requirements for its presence in the region. The crew has been engaging in live-fire exercises, torpedo countermeasures exercises and numerous other training exercises during its current deployment and transit to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.The issues between these nations stretch back for centuries...in most cases long before the US was even discovered. Racial, economic and territorial differences make this almost unsolvable.
Conflict will break out. The best we can hope for is that its contained, and doesn't have longer lasting implications for regional security. Confidence is not high. Some of the most technologically advanced forces on the planet are nose to nose. THIS WILL TURN UGLY.
This is off topic, but I have to know, what is that big green beast in the pic above?
ReplyDeleteOn topic, I find it interesting that we're not seeing this in Europe. What is the different in end results of WWII that completely pacified the Europeans but failed to pacify the East Asians?
that beast is the German Puma IFV. the US Army is suppose to be looking at it for its GCV program but i haven't heard a peep on that competition in months.
Deletei think the aftermath of the war had alot to do with it. when europe was divided into democracy and communist camps it brought alot of countries together. things were alot wilder in Asia and uprisings and small wars have been waging ever since. think Korea, Vietnam, the insurgency in the Philippines and Malaysia and Indonesia...
They'd have to stretch the Puma for 9 dismounts as it only carries six. The US Army has a firm requirement for 9 dismounts in GCV, thankfully.
DeleteThe odd thing about Japan and South Korea is that both governments actually are working on closer defense ties but the Korean people, with reasonable justification, are not wild about the Japanese.
Just think, if we only had six carriers we'd have had to strip the Persian Gulf bare of carriers to put two over there.
ReplyDeleteor we could expect our State Dept to do their job and provide a little diplomacy...or we could expect these nations to act like adults...or we could sit back and watch it happen and let the world know that we're not going to act like Team America World Police anymore.
DeleteUnless America leaves the planet, it must accept that it is part of this world.
Deletewtf? put down the crack pipe, you're not making any sense.
DeleteNot making any sense? You're the one calling for the carrier fleet to be massively slashed while simultaneously calling for a larger presence in the Pacific.
DeleteAnd when (not if) deplomacy fails, then what?
DeleteI bet what the State Dept. is saying to our Allies is something nobody wants heard in public.
ReplyDeleteWe don't want any of our friends to experience loss of face and take umbrage, so we are probably ringing up their Prime Ministers and saying, "WTF are you doing? Knock that shit off right now".
And we back it up with a couple of carriers.