In the continuing debate on the future utility of large-deck aircraft carriers CVNs are either indispensable or superfluous. Refocusing the discussion would help break this intellectual impasse.
The services must provide Joint Force Commanders (JFC) with the maximum number of strategic and operational options for them to successfully meet the breadth, depth, and longevity of the myriad future challenges they face. To develop and maintain a capable force structure mix, it seems prudent that we wrest maximum flexibility from our current weapon platforms. We should thus examine how to expand the use of our carriers throughout the range of joint expeditionary operations.
