T Nation

My Conversation with a Two Star Admiral

Politics and World Issues
#1

This past Tuesday was graduation at USNA in Annapolis. Leon Panetta spoke after flying in on a DOD helicopter along with another helicopter escort. He was good, gave the commencement address. It was hot as Hell.

Anyway, I chatted with an Admiral (no, I didn’t note his name, wouldn’t put it here if I did anyway) and the future of this country is in the Pacific. Panetta said the same things in his address btw. We are in the process of forming more and stronger bonds with SE Asian countries, as they are beginning to fear China, much like they feared Japan in the 1930’s. Also, the big carriers are done – they are equivalent to the battleships of 1941.

The message I got (neither gent came out and said this, just to be clear) is that we should expect China trying even harder to establish regional hegemony and that our Navy should prepare for ‘trouble’ in the South China Sea (such as the recent Phillipine - China spat).

I know most of you know this already but there it is, from the gents who ought to know.

And DAMN it was hot there!! :slight_smile:

OT: Might post some pics later today.

#2

I think we still have a ways to go until the super carrier is finished. It still gives us capabilities that no other platform can provide. With the JSF I could see the smaller carriers becoming much more potent but they still don’t possess the stand off capability of CATOBAR. Carriers of some sort are a must have in order to have any kind of expeditionary capability. Another factor in favor of nuclear super carriers is their power plant gives them the ability to power directed energy weapons. About the only thing I could imagine that would replace it would be a stealth/lighter than air/lifting body, that would be massive.

We definitely need to be proactive when dealing with China. China’s expanding military is why the Indians are making some big investments in upgrading their military capabilities. The upgrading of the Marine base on the north coast of Australia is an important strategic move on our part. Not only does it give us control of their shipping lanes from the middle east, those same lanes are also used for shipping to and from their colonies in Africa.

#3

[quote]Sifu wrote:
I think we still have a ways to go until the super carrier is finished. It still gives us capabilities that no other platform can provide. With the JSF I could see the smaller carriers becoming much more potent but they still don’t possess the stand off capability of CATOBAR. Carriers of some sort are a must have in order to have any kind of expeditionary capability. Another factor in favor of nuclear super carriers is their power plant gives them the ability to power directed energy weapons. About the only thing I could imagine that would replace it would be a stealth/lighter than air/lifting body, that would be massive.

We definitely need to be proactive when dealing with China. China’s expanding military is why the Indians are making some big investments in upgrading their military capabilities. The upgrading of the Marine base on the north coast of Australia is an important strategic move on our part. Not only does it give us control of their shipping lanes from the middle east, those same lanes are also used for shipping to and from their colonies in Africa. [/quote]

Impressive knowledge of where we’re at in the Navy; good.

The Chinese have developed a carrier killer missile with a range of 1800 km. I’m sure that we have counter-measures but the Supers are awfully slow.

BTW: Next year, when my oldest graduates, the POTUS will be the commencement speaker. I don’t think I’ll be allowed so near the stage then. Have to get all the info from some ‘lowly’ Captain…just kidding, just kidding!!

#4

Family friend’s daughter going up to get her Ensign and diploma.

#5

(Reuters) - The United States will move the majority of its warships to the Asia-Pacific in coming years and keep six aircraft carriers in the region, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Saturday, giving the first details of a new U.S. military strategy.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/02/us-asia-security-idUSBRE85100Y20120602