I don't know about you - but I feel dirty just reading it.
Via Chris Cavas,
The U.S. Navy's two command ships, each about 40 years old, are busy vessels. The Japan-based Blue Ridge, flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, recently completed a cruise around the Far East and supported relief operations in Japan. The Mount Whitney, flagship of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, served as a headquarters ship for the initial coalition strikes in March against Libya.... or as I call it - failure in leadership and vision.
The ships are at a stage in their service lives where the Navy normally might be expected to plan for replacements. But in a recent update to the 30-year shipbuilding plans, the ships have been extended to serve another 28 years — until 2039.
That would mean the Blue Ridge, launched in January 1969, will have spent more than 70 years in the water. The Mount Whitney is one year younger.
We have covered the curse of the unsexy here, USNIBlog, and Midrats. We all know what is going on, and it is sad.
I guess we think we can fool others - but let's talk as adults to each other - isn't this really just a sham - and a shame? Who will stand up to this - or are we once again showing confusion between loyalty to personalities vs. loyalty to institutions?
We will have to wait longer for our Sims, Connolly, and Mitchells. We accept that CDR and CAPT should fall on their swords for failing standards - but with at greater than 1.0/ship Flag Officer presence in our Navy - there is no accountability for where we are going.
The Imperial Admiralty; indeed.
Hat tip JD.
