Mr. Gates mentioned we need to embrace new strategies and options on how we operate in the future. With declining force levels in the past, we used overseas home exporting as a force multiplier. With China expanding, its scope of operations to include the Indian Ocean, we should consider homeporting a carrier battle group in Western Australia at Fremantle. We looked at this possibility in 1986-87 and found it to be very feasible.In the past I have reiterated my position that we should bring all our maneuver forces from Japan and Europe except for a few Combined/Joint logistics and training facilities ... but .... a Carrier Strike Group in Australia ..... well .... I and a few hundred thousand Sailors and Marines might be willing to make an exception.
The secretary has laid the ground work for major changes in how the Navy will operate in the future. However, there is still time to make sensible course corrections. I am sure for his legacy, the secretary does not want to be remembered as the secretary who scuttled the U.S. Navy.
What a set of orders .... look how far you are from the pier to the golf course. Perth just down the road. Talk about quick access to open and uncrowded Operating Areas ..... BTW - you do know what Australian women think of American men ... right? Just put my retired butt on the liberty risk program now.
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