"Why is that? Is it because they didn't work? I don't think so."

Total number of CVBG in the Black Sea = 0

Tyler, they are as vulnerable to IRBMs as Kadena is. The Chinese might station aircraft there but it's likely in a shooting war the aircraft would be neutralized before they get used. Just like Kadena.

Not sure why you believe that this hasn't been gamed out by every CVBG that goes over there.

That was over a decade ago and Van Riper exploited weaknesses in JSAF as well as really screwed up instructions on the Blue side where Blue did nothing to defend itself.

That was over a decade ago and Van Riper exploited weaknesses in JSAF as well as really screwed up instructions on the Blue side where Blue did nothing to defend itself.

Yes...it has a radio to tell Pearl to get it's fighter aircraft airborne.

We used to use F-14s as chase planes.

I think my buddy was CO of this boat for the trials. I'll have to drop him a note.

If it really matters they can CONREP an engine aboard but since the V-22 can carry the engine without the container with the new harness I guess it doesn't matter.

Japan just budgeted for 5 V-22s.

And the Type 022 Houbei has 8 C-802, 12 QW-1 MANPAD and 30mm gun on a 220 ton hull.

You can tell the pecking order of the cast when Bruce gets the window...

They've only got one carrier and we can sell them C-2s... :)

"There's obviously a community within the Navy that feels that, even given the tradeoffs you highlight, using the V-22 for the COD mission makes more sense than continuing to fly the C-2."

I'm not ready to pass judgment on HV-22 but I'll note that the internal payload and range of the V-22 is about the same as the existing C-2A and it can go up to 200 knots with an external payload. Something that you can use to transfer an engine (at least up to AV-8 sized engines) with from another ship. And there's…

My only FFG story: I attended a briefing for a SAG v SAG exercise. After the Commodore laid out the rough outline his plan for the CG and DDGs without mentioning the FFG the FFG CO asked what his role would be (I'm guessing he was tired of clearing water space ahead of the group and was hoping to be included in the…

Geez, old is not always better. The Burkes are much better platforms for the USN than the old FFGs. The FFGs had a complement of around 180 or just under half of that of a Burke. Which would you rather keep in the fleet? 2 FFGs without Aegis or Burke IIA?

Russia won't be very resurgent at <$50 bbl.