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The #USNavy is at a critical juncture, facing a challenging rivalry with #China's expanding #navalpower primarily in the #IndoPacific, as well as problems at major maritime choke points such as the Red Sea and Panama Canal. This should lead to Revisiting Corbett and Mahan. With only 290 vessels compared to China's 370 and an expected increase to 475 by 2035, and a significant shortfall in shipbuilding industrial infrastructure, the US Navy seeks to modernize and address its mission and resource allocation. The theories of naval historians and strategists Alfred Thayer Mahan and Sir Julian Corbett, who influenced naval policies for over a hundred years, come into play as the US Navy debates the correct number, type, and mission for its warships.

On November 10, 1775, a resolution by the Second Continental Congress birthed the United States Marine Corps,  setting the stage for a legacy of valor. These first Marines distinguished themselves in their first amphibious raid in the Bahamas, March 1776, under Captain Samuel Nicholas, the first Marine Commandant. From the shores of Tripoli to the forests of Belleau Wood, Marines have fought valiantly, shaping the course of history and embodying the spirit of the nation. Their bravery was not just in battles; it extended to protecting American interests around the world, from the Caribbean to the Falkland Islands, and beyond. The Marine Corps' evolution in warfare, from amphibious capabilities to air support and rapid deployment, showcases their adaptability to changing combat landscapes. Their role in major conflicts, including both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam, underlines the Corps' critical impact on global military history. Beyond the battlefield, the Marines have been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, bringing hope and aid to those in dire need around the globe. From the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to disaster relief in Haiti, the valor of the Marine Corps extends far beyond combat. Today, the United States Marine Corps stands ready, a testament to the unyielding spirit of those willing to sacrifice for their country, embodying honor, courage, and commitment.

It was an absolute honor to participate in the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) change of command with these great Americans. Today, Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering relinquished his command to Lt. Gen Michael Cederholm. Well done to both leaders and their families. The U.S. Marine Corps has led the Joint Force in its aggressive modernization to meet the challenges of tomorrow—while remaining ready at a moment’s notice to respond to the crisis of today. I MEF is the leading edge of that modernization—where theory meets real-world application. While modernization and new technologies give us the competitive edge during combat, the ultimate reason for I MEF's lethality is its #Marines—an advantage that gives adversaries pause. https://lnkd.in/ePwmH-8e

D-Day. 80 years ago.  133,000 troops from the U.S., the British Commonwealth, & allies, landed on the shores of Normandy as Operation OVERLORD got underway.  Over 7,000 ships, manned by almost 200,000 naval personnel from 8 different countries.  Landing in places code named: UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, & SWORD, allied forces scaled cliffs and swarmed sandy beaches under the hail of withering gunfire.  Further inland, over 13,000 paratroopers carried on more than 800 aircraft, landed by parachute and glider.  Their goal? To gain a foothold in France from which additional allied forces could maneuver to retake Europe.  It remains the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Allied causalities were over 10,000, with over 6,000 from the U.S.  These men and women waded & flew into hell that day.  Like more recent wars, they fought for each other but… perhaps unlike any major conflict since, they fought for liberty and freedom in a world where both were at risk.  Today, is a great day to be an American, proud and free.  Part of the most compassionate, most generous, and most tolerant superpower the world has ever known. God bless the USA and its allies! 

Dec. 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and I encourage all Americans to pause and reflect on the 82nd anniversary of the day that forever changed the course of our nation’s history. Japan’s surprise attack was a brutal and devastating event, but one that would bring together the nation to defend our sovereignty, confront tyranny and win back freedom around the world. On Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a thoroughly planned and executed assault on the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, sinking or severely damaging 19 ships and destroying or damaging more than 300 aircraft. In all, more than 3,500 American men and women were killed or wounded. The 2,403 killed would be the largest single day loss of American life in an attack on the U.S. for the next 60 years. While it was a day of immense tragedy, it would also become a day which showcased America’s unbreakable spirit.

On this day in history, 7 April 1945, the Imperial Japanese battleship Yamato is sunk by American carrier-based planes in waters north of Okinawa. The Yamato, initially constructed in 1937 and completed just after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, was intended to be the most superior battleship in the world. It was a symbol of Japanese naval might, but when Emperor Hirohito asked what the Imperial Japanese Navy was doing to stop the American advance, it was sent on what military planners knew to be a one-way mission. The Yamato and the remainder of the Combined Fleet were to intercept the Americans north of Okinawa, but because the US had cracked the Japanese Ultra code, the US ships were prepared. The ensuing battle damaged or destroyed most of the Japanese ships, and around 2pm the Yamato capsized and sank with over 3,000 crewmen. The pride of the Japanese Navy and the most powerful battleship in the world was no more. Sources: Naval History and Heritage Command PBS.org Image: Yamato under construction at Kure Naval Base in Japan. U.S. Naval History and heritage Command Photograph.

Most of the world’s leading navies are getting bigger—a lot bigger—by one key metric: tonnage. But not the Russian navy. It’s struggling to grow at all, and for one main reason. The Ukrainian navy, which has no large front-line ships, keeps sinking and blowing up Russian vessels. Reddit-user Phoenix_jz annually aggregates, analyzes and publishes the total tonnage of the top 10 navies. Their most recent survey, published this week, should encourage advocates of a free Ukraine—and worry proponents of Russian aggression. In 2023, the Russian navy added just 6,300 tons and ended the year with a total tonnage of 2,152,000. The Russians would have added 17,700 tons last year through the new construction of a new frigate, corvettes, a minesweeper and submarines, but the Ukrainians destroyed Black Sea Fleet vessels together weighing 11,400 tons.

📚 The Battle of Jutland: A Study in Naval Strategy and Technological Evolution The Battle of Jutland, fought between May 31 and June 1, 1916, offers invaluable lessons in naval strategy, technological innovation, and command complexities. This monumental clash between the British Royal Navy and the Imperial German Navy remains a pivotal reference in modern naval doctrines. Discover how intelligence, communication, and the balance between caution and aggression shaped this historic battle and continue to influence contemporary maritime warfare. 🛳️ Learn more about the enduring legacy of Jutland and its impact on naval strategy: https://bit.ly/4aOrHTQ #NavalHistory #MilitaryStrategy #Leadership #TechnologicalInnovation #Jutland #WorldWarI #History #NavalWarfare #MaritimeStrategy #StrategicStudies #HistoricalLessons #SeaPower #WarHistory #MilitaryTactics #NavalBattles #Innovation #HistoricalEvents #DefenseStudies #NavalArchitecture

History is one of the magnets of Croatian tourism, so we highlight Vis as an important maritime base throughout many centuries. Today, it's a true gem of the Adriatic, transforming its historical, including military, significance into a Croatian tourist attraction.

This was certainly a great talk, and I'm all on board with it.  I really encourage anyone interested in navy matters to take the time. That said, there are also some great graphics so you won't get 100% out of just listening in your car, but you can come back to those later. The fact that I loved it never prevents me from speaking out on the bits that I was slightly skew on :). I expect many will disagree with me, but the dialog is all part of the fun... I think it has been a bit surprising that some assume that the Chinese are interested only in local or regional hegemony. China may signal local defense as its objective, however, the following indicate that is far from the limits of its endeavors... [] Nuclear submarines: While a wonderful status symbol, if their goal was truly local, they could have much more cost effectively have invested in diesel electric submarines. [] Carriers: Excellent power projection platforms, but if all you are protecting is in range of land based air, how essential are they (again, considering the considerable investment)? [] Overseas basing: The Chinese are certainly investing in local bases (like Cambodia), but now spreading to Djibuti as well. I suspect other bases, especially in Africa (and possibly South America), are also in the works due to the next effort... [] Overseas Influence of all types, ranging from economic adventurism in developing countries (with clear ties to gaining long term influence and potentially basing--look at the number of ports around the world now run by Chinese companies) to strategic efforts like balloon overflights. Also, the focus on the tonnage of shipping vs. the count of shipping really drags the whole debate into a numbers game that misses the point. Looking at Battleforce ship counts or total tonnage is like trying, in 1962, to measure the capability of the North Vietnamese with counts of combat aircraft and tanks (and I am sure that's been done!). The impact of the Maritime Militia, especially, cannot be overstated, especially the impact this is likely to have on rules of engagement: "Western Navy helo fills fishing boat full of 2.75 inch rockets" blasts from the worldwide press... Lastly, I was disappointed by the misunderstanding of shipyard capacity. There are a lot of challenges with US Shipbuilding, but we would be remiss to assume that those problems are entirely solved by finding a different shipyard. Yes, the US produces 3 Large Surface Combatants (DDGs) a year today. But shifting production to overseas only alleviates that problem of pace to the extent that the US is willing to give up strict adherence to current design standards and requirements for domestic sourcing of components. Given those two relaxations--essential for foreign sourcing--domestic shipyard production rates would rise considerably as well. Otherwise, building DDG-51/III in the Far East is likely to go as well as building a FREMM frigate in the US.