The Secretary of the Navy recently spoke with members of the Media about the necessary support that the different U.S. Navy Carrier task force groups provide to the security and effectiveness of the entire United States Military.
Part of the overall ability that the U.S. Navy has to maintain its military readiness around the world is reliant on the Carrier Task Forces. According to the Secretary of the Navy, for a short time the Navy can make do without all 11-carrier groups, but only for a short time.
?We have commitments we fulfill around the world, and with these we need all 11 Carrier groups to meet those combat commitments,? said Secretary of the Navy, Donald Winter.
The Secretary of the Navy took time to give his full support to the current U.S. Navy Carrier task force program. The Navy wants to have a brief where the level will drop to 10 carriers while repairs and maintenance is being done.
The USS Enterprise will be decommissioned in 2012 and the new USS Gerald Ford will be commissioned in 2015, and that will leave a gap. The Navy will have to request an exception for the time gap where only 10 carriers are available.