Analysts: Pace of campaign could strain Navy forces

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/09/analysts-pace-campaign-could-strain-navy-forces

Analysts: Pace of campaign could strain Navy forces
By Corinne Reilly
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 27, 2014

Although U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria are expected to continue for a long time, the volume will level off to a point that they can be sustained without a swell of extra ships or personnel, according to defense officials and analysts.

But the effort still could take a heavy toll on an already taxed U.S. Navy, in the form of longer deployments and greater maintenance strains.

The question of what will be required to pursue American goals in Syria and Iraq is especially significant for Hampton Roads, whose military ships and aircraft - both Navy and Air Force - have played a significant role so far.

At least three Norfolk-based ships have taken part in the strikes: the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, which had been supporting operations in Afghanistan before moving to the Arabian Gulf to launch aircraft to strike in Iraq and later Syria; the amphibious assault ship Bataan, which has launched Marine Corps Harrier jets to strike in Iraq; and the guided missile destroyer Arleigh Burke, which helped fire Tomahawk cruise missiles into Syria from the Red Sea

[GeorgeGist]

1. WTF did the military do ...

with the $500+/- Billion they received this year?