There is a strong proposal coming from the current Administration to reduce the size of the carrier fleet. As USNI states:
A bipartisan group of Congressmen have written a letter to the Secretary of Defense expressing their strong support for maintaining a fleet of 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers despite rumors the Pentagon is considering cutting the carrier fleet. “We write to reiterate our strong support that the United States Navy should continue to require a naval fleet of no-less than 11 nuclear aircraft carriers,” reads the Tuesday letter address to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
Now generally there is only one third of the fleet out at any one time, thus about 3 or 4 carriers, covering the Globe. They are supported by a collection of other ships in what is called a Carrier Task Force. They are our way of protecting American interests, like getting help to Libya etc, which at times does not work.
As the Navy currently reports there are 4 carriers at sea. They are:
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USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Pacific Ocean
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - 5th Fleet
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 5th Fleet
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - Pacific Ocean
That leaves 7 in port. In the event of a problem in the Atlantic or even northern pacific we have a problem. Currently the total focus is the Middle East and the South China Seas. We have substantial exposure elsewhere. Not to mention the problem of littoral threats.
Perhaps a rethinking of the strategic need for a well deployed Navy, including submersibles, littorals and a well equipped Marine Corps is essential.
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