The U.S. Navy plays a critical role in this era of great power competition with Russia and China. We provide security, stability, and protect economic prosperity by helping to preserve the freedom of the seas for all nations. While Russia and China have expanded their influence and capabilities in the maritime domain, context and contrast are important.
In the same week that two of our 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers— the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)—operated with their respective carrier strike groups (CSG) in the Mediterranean, there was discussion that China might launch its second aircraft carrier on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. China reportedly paraded 32 vessels in the Yellow Sea, but the new Type 001A carrier was not one of them, as it remained moored in Dalian. To be sure, the new aircraft carrier will be a notable maritime accomplishment for China, particularly since it would be their first to be built domestically. Russia, on the other hand, is likely to scrap its only operational carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov, after its dry dock sank while undergoing a major overhaul.
During this era of great power competition, one carrier strike group provides tremendous operational flexibility and agility. Two CSGs operating simultaneously, while also integrating and advancing interoperability with our NATO allies and partners, provides an unprecedented deterrent against unilateral aggression, as well as demonstrates the potential for combined lethality.
Aircraft carriers are an impressive testament to a country’s naval power, but none are more impressive and effective than ours. In this regard, there is no competition. I recently traveled with Jon M. Huntsman Jr., U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, to observe dual carrier operations on board the Abraham Lincoln. On the flag bridge, Ambassador Huntsman said it best when he told CNN, “When you have 200,000 tons of diplomacy that is cruising in the Mediterranean—this is what I call diplomacy, this is forward operating diplomacy—nothing else needs to be said.”
It has been three years since we had two aircraft carriers operating simultaneously in Europe; however, on any given day over the last several decades, operating two or more carriers at the same time anywhere in the world has been the U.S. Navy’s standard modus operandi. While we remain confident in our ability to project power anywhere in the world, we also know China and Russia are pumping significant resources to upgrading their naval capabilities and making significant strides. Because of this we must continue building, advancing and training our Navy.
As impressive as the dual CSG operations were, it is also necessary to highlight that the Navy simultaneously had guided-missile destroyers in the Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Baltic Sea. Presence is important, and naval presence is critical. Time and time again, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet use forward deployed ships as a powerful deterrent in the North Atlantic, Arctic Circle, and Baltic, Black, and Mediterranean seas. U.S. Naval presence sends a strong message that deters others from unprovoked aggression, while also reassures our NATO allies and partners of our commitment to them.
As powerful and capable as our Navy is, it does not begin to tell the story until you consider our collective capabilities and interoperability when we work with our NATO allies and partners. As I mentioned, both the Abraham Lincoln and John C. Stennis conducted significant training while in the Mediterranean Sea, but they were not alone. Once it entered the Mediterranean, the John C. Stennis CSG began working with the French guided-missile frigate FS Languedoc (D-653) and the British guided-missile destroyer HMS Duncan (D-37) for a period of time, incorporating the two ships into the strike group. Additionally, fully integrated in the Abraham Lincoln CSG is the Alvaro de Bazan-class Spanish frigate, ESPS Méndez Núñez (F-104). Méndez Núñez spent last year operating with the Abraham Lincoln and its strike group and remains with them during the CSG’s deployment. If you look at the photo we took of both CSGs operating together in the Mediterranean, it was the Méndez Núñez leading the formation. Two CSGs working together with three allies’ warships. Again, no competition. What other countries can do this?
Similarly, the John C. Stennis CSG, while recently operating in the U.S. Fifth Fleet, first extended its capability and lethality by working with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group and its F-35Bs, before conducting impressive integration and interoperability training with another highly capable NATO ally: France. The John C. Stennis conducted dual carrier operations with French carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Red Sea, prior to transiting the Suez Canal and entering our theater.
Exercise Trident Juncture is another, massive example of U.S. integration with 30 allies and partners, where we had more than 50,000 troops, 250 aircraft, 70 ships, and 10,000 vehicles working together. The numbers alone are impressive, but perhaps equally heartening is that during the exercise, 31 sovereign countries were unified in principle to NATO’s commitment to stability, deterrence, and defense. Our cooperation and coordination ensured all participants worked toward a common good. It legitimized and validated our cooperation in a way that unilateral aggression or ambitions simply cannot: Russia in Syria or Crimea, China in the South China Sea, for example.
Finally, the Mediterranean Sea is an important location from which the Navy provides our civilian and military leadership many options. From this body of water, the Navy is able to support operations, exercises and engagements across three different geographic combatant commands: Europe, Central, and Africa commands. Aircraft from the air wings from the two CSGs conducted a long-range strike exercise on a Romania range this past Wednesday. And in 2016, the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG conducted sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve while at the same time, elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit were embarked on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), conducting precision air strikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, Libya, as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning. On any given day, forward deployed naval forces streaming in the Mediterranean can operate seamlessly across unified command lines and across three continents.
For more than two centuries, the U.S. Navy has operated forward to preserve peace, protect national interests, and defend allies and partners. As I have said before, our deployments and military presence is to deter and defend. It is to prevent—not provoke—a conflict. Our presence in Europe and the relationships built over the past 70 years provide the United States strategic access critical to respond to any threats against our allies and partners. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet stand a vigilant watch as the great power competition continues to unfold. Our commitment to our nation, our allies, and our partners has never been stronger. Our capable naval warfighting force, along with our NATO allies and partners and their capabilities is a potent combination for good—particularly when you know our mission is one of peace and deterrence.
Today, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa is a lean, mean, warfighting machine operating in one of the most dynamic and complex maritime environments. In my 38 years wearing the uniform (nine in Europe), I am hard pressed to find a more challenging time, in terms of simultaneous challenges. At the same time, I also cannot think of time when I lead a more talented, diverse and capable group of Sailors, Marines, and civilians on board some of the most impressive naval platforms that have ever existed. We will continue to train with our allies and partners to maintain deterrence and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threats today.
