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| Axis of Evil |
| Carrier To Be Kept Ready To Re-Deploy |
| 2002-12-18 |
| The George Washington carrier battle group — returning home this week following a scheduled six-month deployment — will be kept fully ready to redeploy "should the need arise," Adm. Robert J. Natter said Tuesday, a clear reference to a possible war with Iraq. Atlantic Fleet Commander Natter, speaking during an interview with Navy Times editors and reporters, didn’t specify the length of time the battle group’s six returning ships and its Carrier Air Wing 17 would be kept in a ready status. But after completing a recent comprehensive review of the battle group’s current readiness in terms of people, parts and ordnance, Natter he said he wants the group "to be able to do that through the Christmas holidays and as long as we need it." The availability of Navy carriers could be critical during such a war, particularly given the apparent reluctance of Saudi Arabian officials to permit war-related operations to be launched from bases in that country. Four carriers are currently at sea. The Norfolk, Va.-based George Washington, on the way home, was recently relieved by Norfolk’s Harry S. Truman; the Everett, Wash.-based Abraham Lincoln, most recently in the Persian Gulf, is due to be replaced by the Constellation, based in San Diego. Natter noted that returning battle groups traditionally remain in a surge mode for a short time. "But we’ve not, in the past, maintained it at this kind of readiness level," he said. "It’ll be ready to go." The ships returning with the group include the George Washington, the cruisers Normandy and Monterey, the destroyers Laboon and Mahan — all based in Norfolk — and the fast combat support ship USNS Supply, out of Earle, N.J. Natter said the Navy may not need all of the ships, without elaborating. "But the battle group will be able to redeploy should the need arise," he said. Crews will get Christmas leave, but told to stay in touch. Yard crews will be putting in overtime getting the ships ready. If they only have a short time off, that's less time it takes to do workups when they get the word. Normal steaming time to the Med is about a week, but that's if you have to wait for the support ships. I'll bet the carrier, cruisers and destroyers won't wait this time. |
| Posted by:Steve |