ENSURING STRONG SEA SERVICES FOR A MARITIME NATION

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U.S. NAVY The Gold Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky transits the Hood Canal in Puget Sound, Wash., as the boat returns home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Sept. 28, 2016, following a routine strategic deterrent patrol. Kentucky is one of eight ballistic-missile submarines stationed at the base. in the 1970s and commissioned between 1984 and 1997, these submarines already have seen a service-life extension from 30 to an unprecedented 42 years. A phased replacement program must continue to be a priority to ensure continuity of the operational force, ultimately resulting in a new, 12-boat Columbia-class SSBN Force. The replacement of these dedicated, uniquely configured strategic submarines occurs roughly every half century, creating a procurement requirement outside of the Navy’s phased ship construction program geared to support “normal” fleet operations. The Columbia class, formerly known as the Ohio Replacement Program, is saving development costs by applying existing submarine equipment (Trident II missiles, Ohio- and Virginia-class components) to the design. Additionally, the U.S. and U.K. Royal navies are developing a common missile compartment for their respective new SSBN platforms under a cost-sharing agreement between our two nations. Nevertheless, the relatively high cost of these unique, critical SSBNs and the phasing and duration of the total force construction effort creates an unrealistic and unaffordable funding requirement for incorporation into the existing Navy budget. Accordingly, the Navy League most strongly recommends the Columbia class be funded outside the existing Navy SCN account and protected from budget cuts in recognition of the unique national, strategic mission of these platforms and to prevent the significant, unavoidable impact and disruption to Navy ship construction programs and the conventional ship construction industry. The fiscal 2015 National Defense Authorization Act created such an account — the National Sea-based Strategic Deterrent Fund — and it must be funded by congressional appropriators. The sustained, forward-deployed presence of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine ships in the South China Sea, Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean and Northeast Asia strengthens our partnerships, ensures access to sea lanes and promotes engagement with friends and competitors alike. The combined influence of our nation’s diplomacy and the presence of these forward-deployed maritime forces help prevent heightened tensions from escalating into conflict. Maritime forces usually are the first to respond because they are forward, they are ready and they are versatile. The power and potential of a forward-deployed naval force ready and able to respond within hours instead of days is unparalleled. As our military and intelligence officers have testified before Congress, we are facing a return to great-power competition. Investments by other countries, notably China and Russia, in their own navies should push the United States to invest in its sea services to maintain its naval advantage. 4 NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES
THE SEA SERVICES TEAM Preventing future conflict, providing partnership and presence around the globe are the cornerstones of a national security strategy that underpins a healthy global economy upon which the United States depends. As we face a new global security environment, it is imperative that we maintain a strong naval presence that convinces potential adversaries — and reassures our friends — that the United States sea services team is forward deployed, acting as an ever-present deterrent to conflict in peaceful times, and can — with our global partners — prevail across the full spectrum of conflict if deterrence fails. For that, we need hulls in the water and boots on deck, globally deployed and ready to act. Today, we risk abdicating those global responsibilities and abandoning our leadership role for friends and allies around the world if we do not make significant investments in our sea services. The sea services team — the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine — provides the National Command Authority and our Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) with their only forcible-entry option that can operate independently of other countries. Positioning resources at sea enables maritime forces to respond rapidly and decisively — with a unique and effective mix of capabilities — at sea and ashore. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) is arguably the mission conducted the most frequently by our maritime forces. It allows our sea services to be present globally, without infringement on foreign governments or their shores. It is a mission that has endeared us to countries around the globe. We signal U.S. resolve as we work to help friends and allies during times of crises and promote global prosperity. The maritime services are “where it matters, when it matters” — especially when it comes to HADR, offering resources, care and compassion to alleviate human suffering. Our global presence allows us to help; it is the right thing to do. This is a mission ideally suited to a maritime force, be it a Carrier Battle Group, Amphibious Ready Group or Maritime Prepositioning Squadron. They have the transportation, the medical equipment, the people, the communications, the engineering capability — in short, everything required when disaster strikes — inherent in their makeup. It demonstrates that the United States sea services are there to help. As with the aid rendered to Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, our maritime forces have been there to assist others in times of crisis. When a disaster strikes this year, and in years to come, the United States must have the resources in place to be able to respond. The American role as a friend to those in need is crucial to our success in building coalitions and relationships around the world, promoting peace among nations. The U.S. sea services must be ready to respond to any crisis, be it from Mother Nature or man-made, but chronic underfunding and overextension amid fiscal and political pressures are bringing them to a breaking point. Continuing to do more with less is unacceptable. THE LAW OF THE SEA As the nation’s foremost citizens’ organization committed to preserving U.S. security through strong sea services, the Navy League of the United States strongly supports U.S. accession to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. We urge the U.S. Senate to give its immediate advice and consent to this important treaty. 2017-2018 MARITIME POLICY 5
Page 1 and 2: ENSURING STRONG SEA SERVICES FOR A
Page 3 and 4: THE NEED FOR STRONG MARITIME FORCES
Page 5: STRATEGIES FOR ACTION It is imperat
Page 9 and 10: THE U.S. NAVY The enduring mission
Page 11 and 12: U.S. NAVY Aircraft carrier USS Harr
Page 13 and 14: n 153 E/A-18G Growlers — This air
Page 15 and 16: THE U.S. MARINE CORPS The Marine Co
Page 17 and 18: our foes, be disciplined and well t
Page 19 and 20: Expeditionary Transfer Docks (forme
Page 21 and 22: in demand on the MTS to support the
Page 23 and 24: need for three heavy and three medi
Page 25 and 26: of the Jones Act fleet participate,
Page 27 and 28: THE MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Th
Page 29 and 30: Merchant Mariners be prepared to fa
Page 31 and 32: NAVY LEAGUE MISSION The Navy League

ENSURING STRONG SEA SERVICES FOR A MARITIME NATION

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