[Llarry]

Recent Navy news:

1) The recent Navy budget calls for the purchase of a single attack submarine (SSN) in Fiscal Year 2025. This is the first year in recent memory to have only a single boat authorized. SSNs are very expensive but among the most effective units in the fleet. As you might expect, there is major heartburn and gnashing of teeth with this decision.

2) The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has been the forward-deployed aircraft carrier homeported in Japan since 2015. Periodically, the Navy switches out Japan-based carriers to facilitate overhaul schedules. The USS George Washington (CVN 73) is scheduled to replaced the Reagan this summer. This will be the GW's second turn in the barrel, as the Reagan replaced her in 2015. (The photo is old.)