March brings our annual International Navies issue in which the CNOs or their equivalent in nations as near as Canada and as distant as Indonesia respond to a question put to them by Proceedings. This year the question was generated by a provocative article in our November issue by Vice Admiral John Morgan and Rear Admiral Charles Martoglio, "The 1,000 Ship Navy." In it, the authors projected an interlaced global maritime network of big navies and small policing the high seas and the littorals. Moreover, they said no one nation can do it all and called for "national, international, and private industry cooperation." The number was not meant to be taken literally, but the concept, sweeping in its formulation, most assuredly was. Thus, the question: What do you think of the concept of the 1,000-ship navy as described by Admirals Morgan and Martoglio?
We received a total of 25 responses, nearly all of them expressing a favorable view of the idea, but each adding elements specific to the nature of their navy and/or the political environment of their country that broadens and deepens the conversation. We were especially pleased to receive responses from the naval chiefs of several nations that did not respond last year, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, South Africa, and Spain. Much credit for the fresh participation goes to Associate Editor Jim Caiella, who looked on eliciting the views of the CNOs as a personal challenge and dogged some of them unmercifully until their responses materialized.
As a companion piece, we have Eric Wertheim's authoritative annual review of the world's navies, which shows that the United States is not alone in trying to balance competing requirements for its fleet. Although the major maritime powers often have the money and commitment to maintain a balanced force, many smaller navies can ill afford luxuries such as aircraft carriers and submarines while still trying to focus on anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations.
There are also the International Navies photo contest winners. And retired Royal Navy Captain Gordon A. S. C. Wilson rounds out our international package with a look at the next generation of British aircraft carriers, along with an analysis of the operational challenges and the politics involved.
Elsewhere in the magazine you'll find an eclectic mix of other articles. Retired Army Colonel Norvell "Tex" De Atkine, a veteran Middle East hand, takes on one of the most crucial questions Americans and their leaders must deal with: What would happen if the United States were to pull its forces out of Iraq in the near future? Probably not what you're thinking, Colonel De Atkine writes. His view? A tragedy unfolding in slow motion that will gradually erode the Iraqi state as well as the stability, such as it is, of the Middle East.
Norman Polmar, distinguished Proceedings columnist and Naval Institute Press author, scores a hat trick in this issue with three stories related to the Navy's decision some years back to field an all-nuclear submarine force. The absence of conventional subs has meant the Navy has no non-nuke to act as aggressors in training exercises even though such boats would be a likely enemy in future conflicts. Mr. Polmar chronicles the decisions and debates that led to the demise of conventional subs, including the role of the nuclear submarine "mafia." He also tells us about Gotland, a conventional sub that the Navy has leased from Sweden to play the aggressor role. Finally, he takes us on board USS Dolphin, the last of the diesels still in service, a deep-diving research sub that is unarmed and listed as an auxiliary vessel.
There's more. Coast Guard Lieutenant (j.g.) Jim Dolbow says the nomination of Vice Admiral Thad Allen as the next Coast Guard commandant and the service's high-profile role in the Gulf Coast disasters means it's time for change. The author wants the commandant to become a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whenever issues relating to his service are discussed, a status similar to that of the Marine commandant until 1978. What do you think?
The release of the Quadrennial Defense Review did not get past us. Brad Peniston, Naval Institute Press author and managing editor of Defense News, provides a crisp analytical look at the document and what it's likely to mean to the Navy and the Marine Corps. And Dave Danelo reviews the Naval Academy movie Annapolis and tells us what all the shouting is about.
Editor's Page
By Robert Timberg