He is plain evidence that the policies of Congress in not supporting a military budget is caused a hollowing out of the Navy strike fighter forces. When two-thirds of your aircraft are not flyable due to lack of parts, maintenance, and repair, someone has failed. It is not the Navy. They can only make do with what Congress provides.
As Written By Christopher P. Cavas for Defense One:
Congress’ inability to pass a budget is hurting the fleet, leaders say
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet strike fighters are the tip of the spear, embodying most of the fierce striking power of the aircraft carrier strike group. But nearly two-thirds of the fleet’s strike fighters can’t fly — grounded because they’re either undergoing maintenance or simply waiting for parts or their turn in line on the aviation depot backlog.
Overall, more than half the Navy’s aircraft are grounded, most because there isn’t enough money to fix them.
Additionally, there isn’t enough money to fix the fleet’s ships, and the backlog of ships needing work continues to grow. Overhauls — “availabilities” in Navy parlance — are being canceled or deferred, and when ships do come in they need longer to refit. Every carrier overall for at least three years has run long, and some submarines are out of service for prolonged periods, as much as four years or more. One submarine, the Boise, has lost its diving certification and can’t operate pending shipyard work.
Leaders claim that if more money doesn’t become available, five more submarines will be in the same state by the end of this year.
The Navy can’t get money to move around service members and their families to change assignments, and about $440 million is needed to pay sailors. And the service claims 15 percent of its shore facilities are in failed condition — awaiting repair, replacement or …..
FULL STORY HERE:
Grounded: Nearly two-thirds of US Navy’s strike fighters can’t fly