Page 31: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q4 2013)

our nation with a decreased global pres-ence. This poses a dire threat to the future of U.S. naval operations because a small- er ß eet will hobble AmericaÕs ability to respond to critical global missions and crises. A weakened U.S. naval presence abroad makes delivering humanitarian aid more difÞ cult while also increasing the potential length and cost, in dollars and lives, of future conß icts. Recent events in Syria, Libya and the Philippines underscore the need and importance of a stabilizing American naval presence around the world. The NavyÕs surge capacity has already been signiÞ cantly diminished because of sequestration according to the Chief of Naval Operations, and the situation will only get worse. Because of current budget cuts, the Service is no longer able to deploy multiple aircraft carrier strike groups simultaneously around the world. Previously, it had multiple strike groups with the ability to respond just days after being called up, where now it currently has only one. The last time the NavyÕs vessel numbers were this low was in 1916, before World War I. The Navy has said it will take years to recover from the current budget cuts required by seques- ter, without taking into account the next round happening in January. These proposed cuts must be immedi-ately replaced with targeted reductions before sequestration damages our na-tionÕs ship repair industry beyond recov- ery, shortens the overall life span of the vessels in our sea services, and leaves America without a robust and vibrant na- val ß eet. Maintaining these vessels, and retaining a capable and experienced U.S. workforce is vital to AmericaÕs national and economic security. We must show the world, both our enemies and our al- lies, that our Navy and its ships will con- tinue to have a positive inß uence abroad and provide a stabilizing presence on the seas wherever it is needed. www.maritimeprofessional.com | Maritime Professional | 31MP #4 18-33.indd 31MP #4 18-33.indd 3112/11/2013 1:07:23 PM12/11/2013 1:07:23 PM