But the lack of readiness is pervasive across the fleet. The Navy’s maintenance backlog grew by 41 percent from 2012-2017, and the condition of available shipyards continued to deteriorate.
Ships can’t fight well if they’re not up to snuff.
For example, shipyard facilities “now include at least four dozen buildings—comprising 1.2 million square feet of space—that are condemned, uninhabitable, or otherwise unusable for ship repairs or any other work.”
Shockingly, the Navy had only 22 dry docks and sub-tenders in 2019, whereas in 1988 it had immediate access to roughly “50 dry docks, marine railways, and lifts.”
They spend billions on new ships that can’t meet their design parameters. Aircraft carriers that can handle landings. And the inability to fully train and maintain crews.
Even with small improvements and increased attention, more must be done, and quickly. The Pentagon and policymakers must make the maintenance of our sea vessels a priority, or they risk jeopardizing the Navy’s ability to protect our interests
More @ Repair Backlog Illustrates Navy’s Readiness Issues
Ships can’t fight well if they’re not up to snuff.
For example, shipyard facilities “now include at least four dozen buildings—comprising 1.2 million square feet of space—that are condemned, uninhabitable, or otherwise unusable for ship repairs or any other work.”
Shockingly, the Navy had only 22 dry docks and sub-tenders in 2019, whereas in 1988 it had immediate access to roughly “50 dry docks, marine railways, and lifts.”
They spend billions on new ships that can’t meet their design parameters. Aircraft carriers that can handle landings. And the inability to fully train and maintain crews.
Even with small improvements and increased attention, more must be done, and quickly. The Pentagon and policymakers must make the maintenance of our sea vessels a priority, or they risk jeopardizing the Navy’s ability to protect our interests
More @ Repair Backlog Illustrates Navy’s Readiness Issues