Problem on Nimitz will leave US Navy short-handed in Gulf
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Navy said Wednesday it will temporarily shrink its aircraft carrier presence in the Persian Gulf area from two to one because of a mechanical problem with the USS Nimitz, a carrier based in Everett, Wash.
The Nimitz was scheduled to deploy in January to relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, but that will be put off until summer in order to complete repairs to its propulsion system. The problem was discovered while the ship was doing pre-deployment maneuvers.
As a result, the Navy made the unusual decision to bring the Eisenhower home to Norfolk, Va., in December and resurface its flight deck so it can go back to the Gulf area in February and remain for four months. That means that in December and January the USS John C. Stennis will be the only carrier in that area, although there are other naval forces there, including Marines aboard a three-ship contingent led by the USS Peleliu.
In announcing the moves, the Navy said none are related to the conflict between Israel and the Hamas militants in Gaza - or any other security threats or contingency planning. The nation's fleet of Navy ships has endured much wear and tear during more than 11 years of war; the Stennis, for example, was called on to accelerate its deployment schedule last summer.
The decision to leave a two-month gap in the normal two-carrier Navy presence was approved Tuesday by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, officials said. The carriers are a key feature of the U.S. military strategy for the Mideast; they are considered important in deterring Iran, for example.
This will be the first such gap in the Gulf region since at least December 2010, the Navy said.
The Stennis, which deployed from its home port of Bremerton in late August, is due to head home in March. The current plan calls for it to be replaced then by the USS Harry S Truman.
The Nimitz was scheduled to deploy in January to relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, but that will be put off until summer in order to complete repairs to its propulsion system. The problem was discovered while the ship was doing pre-deployment maneuvers.
As a result, the Navy made the unusual decision to bring the Eisenhower home to Norfolk, Va., in December and resurface its flight deck so it can go back to the Gulf area in February and remain for four months. That means that in December and January the USS John C. Stennis will be the only carrier in that area, although there are other naval forces there, including Marines aboard a three-ship contingent led by the USS Peleliu.
In announcing the moves, the Navy said none are related to the conflict between Israel and the Hamas militants in Gaza - or any other security threats or contingency planning. The nation's fleet of Navy ships has endured much wear and tear during more than 11 years of war; the Stennis, for example, was called on to accelerate its deployment schedule last summer.
The decision to leave a two-month gap in the normal two-carrier Navy presence was approved Tuesday by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, officials said. The carriers are a key feature of the U.S. military strategy for the Mideast; they are considered important in deterring Iran, for example.
This will be the first such gap in the Gulf region since at least December 2010, the Navy said.
The Stennis, which deployed from its home port of Bremerton in late August, is due to head home in March. The current plan calls for it to be replaced then by the USS Harry S Truman.
When diplomacy fails........................
They sure seem to spend a lot of time fixing and updating these. Oh well. It's only money.
the official invitation to test our weakness - no, rephrase that - amidst increased tensions in the middle-east we are backpedaling so that everyone else believes we have nothing to do with it.Â
what will suck is the carrier that is getting home in December and then turning around and leaving in Feb. That will be a big hardship on those families.
@beetle73 Yeah, given that that everyone aboard the ship's complement will be working like beavers on meth to get whatever gigs have been piling up out of the way. The captain is gonna want his boat fresh-from-the-yard perfect after this embarassement. I would REALLY hate to be one of gearheads and nucs right now.
Go Navy, Go, Go, Opps...
Why don't you just email the gulf of this problem . oh never mind they already monitor this.
@lakland52: They don't even need to monitor this. All they have to do is count the number boats over there. I do believe even the enemy has enough mental capacity to effect such research.
oh noes were doomed!!!  those cave dwelling terrorists will surely hit us now...  what do i do foxnews!!!?
 @notatreehugger Never were in the military were you. try the fact that aircraft carriers are deployed to prevent problems from starting
USAR Retired Officer  What a silly propagandized horse's ass you are. Do you go about, chanting, USA, USA, USA? Open your eyes, and your mind. Do not choose willful ignorance.
 @armor Yep, nothing says Reach out and touch yah like an Aircraft carrier strike group parked off your coast.
 @notatreehugger Say that to the ground forces that rely on the aircraft that will not be there for support.
 @Zanshin You didn't say that correctly. I will correct it for you. "Say that to the ground forces that rely on the aircraft that will not be there for support, jacka55!"