September 17, 2018
Monday PM

As a former Navy enlisted and Naval officer who served on 13 ships, including destroyers, radar pickets, aircraft carriers and auxiliary ships, I am concerned with the lack of readiness of the Fleet.

Former Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman, under President Reagan, surged U.S. Naval power into Soviet Union ocean domains, and this helped to end the Cold War. A similar situation currently exists with China in the South China Sea, but we have too few ships available to patrol the area.

The July 8, 2018 issue of USA Today--The Arizona Republic points out the dire condition of the Pacific 7th Fleet ships. It stated "from 2015 to 2016 the pace of operations for 7th Fleet cruisers and destroyers increased 40 percent, from 116 days underway to 162 days." This is without any increase in ships and personnel, and it continues today.

Starting in 1990 our Navy went from 600 to 283 ships today, and the missions have significantly increased during this time. A minimum of 300 ships are needed to project U.S. Naval power around the world, complete missions, and conduct safe operations. Probably an additional 50,000 Naval personnel are needed. 

Our Navy is in dire straits.

Donald Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH

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The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.

Received September 14, 2018 - Published September 17, 2018

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