BHR might be salvageable? Not buying it one bit...

UPDATE: The main engineering spaces are fine, no damage. Structure is stable and despite ongoing fires, there is no threat to the fuel tanks. They cite significant progress. No personnel, civilian or sailor, in hospital. The incident will be investigated thoroughly.

— David B. Larter (@DavidLarter) July 14, 2020

Wow.  That press conference must have been a doozy (didn't see it) cause we're getting some extremely optimistic reporting about the condition of this ship.

I don't buy it one bit.

We all saw the fire so are we suppose to doubt our lying eyes?  Not me!  Additionally we can look around the Navy and everything is in shit shape.  Sorry folks, there just ain't no other way to say it. 

Then there is the 800 lbs gorilla in the room.  Covid-19 has essentially ensured that AT BEST the DoD budget will be flat.  Let me say that again.  Covid-19 has ensured that the terrible 20's will be horrific.

Then you add in the changing requirements of Marine Corps amphibious ship requirements, the desire to use alternative platforms, the idea that the MEU is basically dead it makes no sense from a doctrine viewpoint to even try and salvage this ship.

That's it in a nutshell.

Economics and priorities means the BHR is scratched from the naval registry.  They hype is necessary for public sentiment, but budget reality will come into play early or mid next year and the money will not be requested for this ship to be refurbished nor will it be provided by Congress.

Scratch one baby flattop.