Prior to the whole of government failure and national humiliation this summer in Afghanistan that still has a few more chapters to unfold, as we’ve discussed here often and others have elsewhere, the US Navy had a significant problem with its image as a professional force.
There was the question of professional competence that manifested itself in the events of 2017 that were only underlined by the seemingly service-wide comfort with looking like the late Soviet Navy as we operated globally and pulled into ports of friends and competitor alike.
With the seriousness, stability, and steadfastness of the nation it serves under ongoing global scrutiny, it is more important than ever that the US Navy make a counter argument to those who will try to convince our friends and those inclined to be one that we are a hollow, spent, and tottering empire.
The most immediate way we can do that is, ironically, the simplest: look like the navy of a global power that is properly funded and led.
We are sending the exact opposite message.
Behold the PASSEX we did with the Pakistani (!) and German navies just a few days ago.
Here’s the 29-yr old USS Shiloh (CG 67).
Here is the PNS Alamgir (F260) the former USS McInerney (FFG 8) at a spry 42-yrs young:
Here is the 25-yr old FGS Bayern (F 217)
The US Navy’s presence mission – showing the flag – is the greatest strategic mission we have right now. One could argue it always was, but no longer can we accept excuses for our warships to, by acts of commission and omission on our part, reinforce our competitors’ messaging against our nation.
We should be the national symbol that signals strength, professionalism, and confidence. People and nations make their first judgement on your appearance. Rightfully, if you look like you don’t care what you look like, odds are you are underperforming elsewhere.
We are not at war right now, but we are in a competition. This isn’t a problem that can be solved by a bunch of disaggregated ships’ CO’s either – this is a flag officer problem.
If we don’t have time before deployment to get a ship ready, delay deployment. If we don’t have enough money to maintain our ships, then don’t deploy them. Demand resources. Demonstrate why we need resources.
What excuse do we have for having large areas of rust on the barrels of our guns that survives the follow-on question?
ARABIAN SEA (Sept. 6, 2021) – Capt. Sharif Calfee, commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), speaks to distinguished visitors from the Pakistan Navy on the forecastle following a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) in the Arabian Sea, Sept. 6. Shiloh conducted a PASSEX with Pakistan Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate PNS Alamgir (F 260) and German Navy Brandenburg-class frigate FGS Bayern (F 217). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Askia Collins)
