Navy Will Seek $1.6 Billion for Operation Iraqi Freedom II

Service is Close to ‘Global Concept of Operations’ Based on New Strike Groups

Sea service leaders and industry gathered in Washington, D.C., April 6-8, for the 2004 Sea-Air-Space Exposition (SAS). Sponsored by the Navy League of the United States, the show boasted several hundred exhibits showcasing the latest military hardware and technologies, as well as dozens of seminars and briefings on such hot-button issues as the Coast Guard’s Deepwater Program, the Navy’s Sea Basing program, future budget plans, doctrine and policy developments, and technological priorities.

Vice Adm. Cutler J. Dawson, deputy chief of naval operations for resources, requirements and assessments, said the U.S. Navy will ask for at least $1.6 billion in supplemental funding for fiscal year 2005, to cover the costs of deployment of sailors and U.S. Marines in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II. The second round of deployments includes more than 25,000 Marines and sailors.

The 1st Marine Division returned to Iraq in the spring, just in time to relieve the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division in combat operations in western Iraq. OIF II is scheduled for two seven-month rotations, the first from March to September and the second from September to March 2005.

In other news from SAS:

Navy Nears Completion of ESG-Based Operations Plan

Vice Adm. John B. Nathman, deputy chief of naval operations for warfare requirements and programs, said the Navy is about a year away from finalizing a new “global concept of operations,” based to some extent on its Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) experiments. The ESG is a new formation of ships that includes amphibious assault vessels and transports with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units, surface warships and nuclear-powered fast attack submarines capable of launching Tomahawk missiles. The ESG increasingly is being viewed as not just a collection of ships, but as the precursor and enabler for the Sea Base, Nathman said. Sea Basing is the Navy’s phrase describing the use of ships at sea as staging points for joint task force operations across the spectrum of conflict and including air, sea and land activities.

Nathman Seeks More Unmanned C4ISR Options

Nathman also said he told Congress there should be more options for executing joint command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) requirements. Instead of directing submarine forces to carry out the brunt of pre-conflict C4ISR missions, Nathman wants to develop unmanned systems that could take the place of attack submarines in some instances. In this way, he hopes unmanned vehicles and remote sensors would free up SSNs and SSGNs to perform other tasks, such as littoral antisubmarine warfare and deep strike missions.

X-Craft Catamaran Tests Set to Start in January

The Office of Naval Research and industry partners Titan, Lockheed Martin and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, Wash., plan to deliver the experimental X-Craft catamaran to 3rd Fleet headquarters at San Diego for testing with various units, including those of the Naval Special Warfare Command, beginning in January 2005. The testing will continue for one year, followed by transition to Hawaii for a round of technical modifications. X-Craft, billed as “risk reduction for [the Littoral Combat Ship],” according to Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Jay M. Cohen, will be fitted at Hawaii with a titanium lifting body in 2006 for additional hydrodynamic stability and speed.

Magnus Highlights Marine Materiel Priorities

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, deputy commandant for programs and resources, said his service has identified materiel priorities based on experiences in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the first iteration of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. These priorities include: armored Humvees and MTVR trucks, French SOPHIE thermal binoculars, British personal radios, body armor and other tactical equipment. Additionally, looking long term, Magnus wants the U.S. Navy to invest in aviation capability enhancements for the Marine Corps associated with the LHA (Replacement) ship program, including replacing the Corps’ aging CH-53 helicopters with new production CH-53s.

NSC Moving Forward After Engineering Changes

The U.S. Coast Guard’s new National Security Cutter (NSC) design and fabrication schedule calls for cutting steel this July following requirements changes, according to executives with Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS). Requirements for the NSC were revised after Sept. 11, 2001. According to James Anton, executive vice president of the joint venture, the NSC design effort includes engineering changes for improved chemical, biological and radiological defense, and an extended flight deck to accommodate the tail-wheel aft version of the H-60 operated by various federal agencies. Currently, International Steel Group is rolling steel for the new cutter.

Compiled by Sea Power Associate Editor Hunter C. Keeter