As mentioned earlier, the conventional-powered aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy has been slated for decommissioning after a life-extension plan (at $350 million) was removed from the US Navy budget. Congressional maneuvres have delayed the decision:
The House of Representatives is expected to approve a plan today to postpone a decision on retiring the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy until February.
House and Senate budget negotiators struck a deal late Tuesday that requires the Navy to delay a decision on the 37-year-old carrier until the Quadrennial Defense Review is submitted to Congress early next year.
The move would stall a potential domino effect that could result in a nuclear-powered carrier being relocated from Norfolk to Mayport, Fla., the Kennedy’s home port.
While I'm happy with the concept of civilian control over the military, this degree of control always seems to be more about local politics than it ever is about genuine concerns over national defence or the good of the particular service involved.
Posted by Nicholas at May 5, 2005 11:51 AM
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