Strategy Page has the story:
The U.S. Navy has disbanded one of its ten Carrier Strike Groups (SCGs), leaving only nine of them for the eleven aircraft carriers in service. This is a money saving measure, as nuclear powered aircraft (CVN) carriers spend twenty percent of their time out-of-service having maintenance done. Thus only 8-9 CSGs are needed at any one time.
The SCG is actually a complex organization. There is the CVN and its crew, and the CAW (Carrier Air Wing), which includes all the aircraft, pilots and support personnel. The CAWs do not stay with the same CVN, but move around. When a CVN goes in for maintenance, its CAW will move ashore and then to another carrier (usually one coming out of dry dock). Also part of a SCG are the escort ships (usually a destroyer squadron of 2-4 destroyers, cruisers or frigates) and one or two SSNs (nuclear attack subs). There is also one or two supply ships (carrying spare parts and maintenance personnel for all ships, as well as fuel for the escort ships.)
Until a few years ago, the U.S. had twelve carriers, but new ones are not being built quickly enough to replace the older ones that must retire (because of old age). Soon there will only be nine CVNs, and there will be cost cutting pressure to disband another SCG.
Are we enjoying the decline yet? Just wondering.
Comment by Lickmuffin — August 11, 2011 @ 11:21
The Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy clicks “+1” on this post.
Comment by Nicholas — August 11, 2011 @ 12:10
I’m enjoying it the same way I used to enjoy – back in the 90s – watching a company I was working for implode.
The process is interesting if one can distance oneself from the carnage. Otherwise, not so much.
What I won’t enjoy at all when we have our Korea. Something is going to happen, the President – assured that the troops are leaning forward, the Navy is can-do, the poor bastard – will send in the Army, order a carrier to the scene.
The Army will find itself out-gunned, out-fought. After decades of fighting insurgents with rifles and IEDs this is going to be a helluva shock. The Navy will find out the adversary knows the deadly math of ( one nuke = one carrier). Having a grasp of history they’ll make sure to finish the job before the Marines can arrive.
Comment by Brian Dunbar — August 13, 2011 @ 21:50