Come for the Tomcats, stay for the insightful discussions with elected representatives on national security and budgetary implications of foreign policy.
Rep. Luria comes across as a thinker willing to confront both sides of an issue without defaulting to party bias. I am sure I'd disagree with her on some of her conclusions, but, solely from this interview, it seems her heart is genuinely in the right place to be a solid representative for the people regardless of what letter precedes her name.
Wish like blazes that being a member of Congress allowed for not defaulting to party bias. In an eight hour day a House member, be it D or R spends 7 hours and 45 min doing things that will refill the reelection war chest. Staff takes care of the rest. You can't do much if you don't stay in Office so the DNC and the RNC makes it clear that your promises and vote record will depend on the amount of re-election support $$ you get and which committee assignment/s you get to be on. Committee that have a proven track record of generating reelection money from district supporters and others wanting Government contracts.
Thank you, Congresswoman Luria, Commander. Retired Chief here. Very informative interview. When I read about the decom plans for the Ticos all I could do was shake my head and wonder just how dumb can our leadership get. Your math on the loss of VLS cells was very impactful. WARD, more like this PLEASE.
Best part of this interview… “but you didn’t really answer the question”. Love that you hold people accountable to the answers in an interview. I don’t think she intentionally avoided answering it but politicians are so used to giving non-answers that it’s great when interviewers force them to give an answer. Love the channel!!
the politicians these days are morons ,,the wh is more concerned about illigeals and the green new lie,,,this is very serious,,,right now our military isnt ready for war,,,we are giving our weapons to the war in ukraine that we need to defend againist,,,china has more ships than , us , plus the threat from n.korea,,,to hell with the russian mess,,,we need to be ready for china,,,
@@desertodavid Yes. I know he was a RIO. A RIO is an NFO. I took it up one level of abstraction. I served 26 years in Naval Aviation, 4 Aircraft carriers, 2 squadrons, many deployments. Retired now. Your astute input is highly valued.
I don't know Ward but just based on watching his videos for quite some time now I think he's improved quite a bit in the area of letting his guests speak w/o interruption.
This was great, a conversation about complex issues that need to be thought out and answered not just pass this budget and we will deal with next year. Lets all hope that the next Decision we make on ship building is right we can't afford another fail like DDG 1000 or LCS .
We can probably figure out how to at least get some utility out of the Zumwalts. The LCS is so fragile (especially the aluminum-hulled Independence class) & costs nearly as much to operate there’s a case to be made that keeping them in service just isn’t worth the effort. I support we could just take the existing bulls, forward base them in the Pacific & just pray that the Independence-class doesn’t physically disintegrate & Freedom’s combining gear somehow manages to not break down. Not worth spending more money on them than we have to, thought,
Amazing interview! That was worth more than one year's worth of anything CNN, Fox, or CBS has ever done. Keep up the good work. I hope you can interview the CNO.
This is fantastic Ward. I couldn’t peel myself away from this interview even for a minute. I am pleased that we have Rep. Luria advocating for the Navy.
this is a great segment. You're really delivering some high value, high relevance content. Loved the reference to Alfred Thayer Mahan. His book is still a worthwhile read. thanks Mooch !
Loved the video. We need a big and powerful Navy to defend our country and keep our treaty commitments. You go to war with the military you have and not the military you want. Thank you, Mooch.
No, no we don’t. The US has the only real blue water navy in the world. It’s time for our allies to stand up for themselves and help with those treaty obligations.
So true. Have we forgotten the lessons of ill-preparedness leading up to WWII? I learned at the Naval War College about the perpetual folly of preparing to fight the last war, or worse, not preparing to fight at all. Our top military leadership is more worried about selfishly bending to the latest shifts in the political winds, than seriously preparing to deter or fight the next war. Does anybody really doubt that the threat is China?
Rep. Luria is an intelligent, knowledgeable, logical thinking member of Congress! That puts her in the top 1% in my book. I'd say her Annapolis and Navy training prepared her to be a valuable member of the Legislature. Ward, if you talk to her again, I have a few questions that I'd like to hear her discuss. 1. Why did we build 2 separate classes of LCS with almost no commonality? This basically doubled the number of spare parts we needed to stock. 2. Considering the backlog of ships & subs waiting for shipyard availabilities, why did we close half of our Naval Shipyards? I spent much of my Navy career at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and the nearby Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity in Charleston and we never had a lack of things to work on. It seems that we beat our shipyards into plowshares and now we need more shipyards again. 3. Why is it that the leadership in the Navy swings from extreme caution in new ship designs to extreme innovation? The reason our Tico Cruisers look the way they do is that the ship designers felt that a larger hull was needed to have space for all of the capabilities that were wanted for these ships. "The Admirals" said no to a new hull design; It was too risky--just use the Spruance DD hull. So that was what was done, with the end result being that the superstructures look like the Manhattan skyline. Consequently, they have problems being somewhat top heavy (they tend to roll more than other ships and have stress problems in the superstructure. On the other extreme, we packed new technology into the Zumwalt DDGs and USS Gerald Ford that cost a lot of money and were extremely disappointing. 4. Why is so much emphasis being put on unmanned combat ships and subs? Is it partially motivated by difficulty in meeting recruiting goals? Our Navy has a well earned reputation in damage control excellence. Have there been any studies done to evaluate whether there will be an increased risk of losing uncrewed vessels because of a lack of damage control--or can these vessels provide some sort of automated damage control?
So True , We need people like her in government with REAL Knowlage . We need REAL Strategic Planners , We Also need REAL Tactical planners , and Tactical flexabability
Glad to finally see someone in the government who actually knows what they are talking about. This lady has served on ships, she knows first hand what we need to make the navy stronger.
Wow. Another fantastic episode. At the same time, I feel bothered better about Congress and worried about the leadership in the administration. Rep Luria is impressive and I’m so glad she’s there. Thanks for giving more spotlight to her and I wish her great success (for all our sakes)
Yet another excellent interview. I always prefer ex-military lawmakers to deal with our military budget for obvious reasons. I’m impressed by her actions.
I come away from this incredibly impressed with the Representative. Not only is she exceptionally intelligent and well-informed, she is speaking from an amazingly non-partisan position. We would be much better off as a nation if there were more people like her in Congress and fewer twits making fools of themselves in hearings to generate soundbites to promote themselves on cable news, then checking twitter moments later to see if their little nonsense performances are trending. I don't agree with everything she said, but I don't doubt that she has dug deeply into the facts and is thoughtful and genuine about her positions which is sadly rare in DC. We're lucky that in times when such very significant threats exist against our nation, that someone intelligent, able to restrain herself from partisanship and with such a focus on what is good for the nation is in Congress.
Thanks for the detailed, thoughtful, and thought provoking discussion with a serious representative of the people. I wish the media would focus more on these hard-working representatives who take they jobs seriously and don't just use them as an excuse to grandstand. This is a fantastic channel.
Great Interview. One thing that only barely got touched on is the issue of maintaining the fleet. We are seeing ships go in for major maintenance and then stay offline for years. Ships being run hard and put away wet in poor material condition because of the lack of shipyard resources. We clearly need a larger more potent fleet to be able to deny China the ability to invade Taiwan. But we also need a fleet where the ships are properly maintained and the sailors properly trained to go forth into harms way.
@Paul Loveless - Couldn't agree more. Congresswoman Luria is definitely in her element when discussing this issue. It was an interesting discussion between compatriots who share a common knowledge base. She made a compelling argument for her position and I hope she can persuade enough Representatives in the house to see it.
@@wickedcabinboy Tribal? She's acting like anyone could take anything serious to this president and expect a coherent answer. GTFOH. BTW I'm not a Republican by any means tool, the GOP is a joke.
Hi Ward. Really enjoy your channel and the diversity of subject matter. I serve a Hospital Corpsman from 1976-1980, then as an Army Officer from 1986 to 2008. It was apparent during the 1990's that the National Security Strategy was being reverse engineered from a pre-determined budget target figure. During 20023-2003, I was a student at the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA and had a front row seat to the build up and start of the Iraq War, while the Nave fought for the LCS program, the Air Force fought for the F-22 and the Army fought for the FCS (Future Combat Systems) program. Rep. Luria has her hands full dealing with this mess.
Excellent interview, thank you to Rep Luria and Mr. Carroll for bringing this to us. Many thoughts stem from this interview and recent pubic news about the Navy, the new budget, and the USS George Washington that highlight serious deficiencies in our military procurement process in general and the Navy modernization process in particular. Here are some of thoughts going around in my mind. Regarding the LCS line of ships, are they better served supporting the USCG? Perhaps we need a hybrid Navy-CG program to man and operate this line of ships to provide the near-shore/coastal threat mission originally envisioned for this craft. This is a niche capability which the US Navy appears to not or no longer want to perform. Did this possibly happen when admirals, who advocated for the LCS, retired? Now the Navy only wants open water duty? I don’t know, but we’ve invested a great deal in these ships, let’s please try to get our money’s worth out of them. Regarding the Navy ship building program, do we need a commission similar to the “BRAC” or Base Realignment and Closure program? Let's call it the Navy Mission Realignment and ship building and retirement program! I'm not convinced the Navy can be completely trusted with US tax dollars on their own. But seriously, a committee with retired Navy, Contractors, US Representatives, and possibly others to consider the Navy mission, define the role, then create the program to get us and the Navy there, may be helpful? We can't continue with a group of admirals saying we need LCS, then retire and the next group say we don't want LCS. Not a good way to run a navy! Last one - the USS George Washington. What is going on here? Three sailors commit suicide while in port? Sailors are forced to live aboard ship during construction? Four or more years to refuel a ship??? What is wrong with this picture? It appears to me we need a dedicated, US Navy, refueling facility, with land crew accommodations in port/on base. Additionally, refueling time greatly needs to be reduced - how about six months not four years? Design and build ships with accessible reactors, with refueling designed into the platforms. A ship off-line four years is a problem. I suggest we reconstitute the US Navy, Philadelphia Ship yard or another facility, for this permanent mission. Philadelphia once built battle ships so it possibly could handle the large sized Carriers, and certainly the smaller vessels. It’s centrally located on the east coast, supporting numerous requirements - very important. And most importantly, it could free up Norfolk/Newport News ship yard space for new construction. Mr. Carroll, thank you, and please continue to bring us this valuable and timely content.
This lady is just to nice to say out loud what everyone else is think: “the department of the Navy is run by a bunch of empty suites that are full of crap”.
Yes, because she is intelligent enough to realize she'd sound like a hypocrite. She bailed on the fleet just before making flag rank, i.e. actually getting promoted into a position to change the problems she's talking about.
The Department of Navy doesn't get to set the military budget or the allocation of resources between branches. They don't even get to set the actual Naval strategy. They can provide input to it, but someone higher up the food chain makes those decisions. They are having to make difficult tradeoffs.
K.I.S.S. Peace through strength. The cost to implement and maintain this axiom pales in comparison to the cost of war. The key to sustaining this is educating and convincing the public and congress of the need to support this mission as you are with this platform. Stay the course Ward!
Dang It Mooch! You did it AGAIN!! Proving - again - that you're much cooler than me. Great interview and something we would NEVER get anywhere else. It felt more like a conversation than an "interview", so I felt more confidence in the honesty of the answers. Good job, thanx!
This interview provides such a stark contrast to the divisive way that the general media cover anything these days. She's a smart and qualified leader who deserves to have her voice heard more widely. Thanks for the segment.
Great segment. Awesome to see legislators fighting the good fight, and pressing forward in bipartisan agreement. Good counterpoint to the division that is shoved at us from many sides.
Excellent. It’s reassuring that a dedicated professional has her eyes on Navy mission & procurement. She is, at the same time, a member of the House January 6th Committee, and your interview increased my personal confidence in her judgment, curiosity and intellect to fairly examine and determine the issues that historic event presents. Thank you.
@@timtruett8368 The January 6 commission is like the Warren commission: perpetrators investigating their own crime and trying to frame innocent people for it. Whoever accepts to be part of it will pay, if not in this world, certainly in the next.
@@kaewakoyangi8071 Thank you for replying. There is no member of that Committee who in any rational way can be labeled a "perpetrator." Such a viewpoint is beyond cynicism.
Mr. Carroll Sir. Thank you for a great follow up. I can’t help but realize how we as American armed forces Veterans never feel relieved of our National Oath. Thank you Sir for all you do to help your viewers understand the rapidly challenging National Security situation.
Explain Jan 6 then, and the vets who still support the Big Lie; undermining the peaceful transfer of power in our great nation. Some vets need to revisit that oath.
At my age I'll probably miss it but it's wonderful to see and hear people like Rep Luria knowing t there's a chance they'll be leading this country before long. We're foundering miserably and only people of her caliber can save the day.
What a sharp lady. Had my entire attention with every word she said. Not your typical politician who blows smoke and avoids direct answers. Rep Luria is extraordinarily knowledgeable on modern naval warfare, capability, and needs. Great discussion. BZ CDR. Luria and CDR Carroll.
Outstanding interview. It was amazing that during the interview when she was giving current fleet numbers, the thought of President Reagan's desire for a 600 Ship Navy, when I was Active Duty, then a few moments later, she touched on it. I strongly feel the failure to achieve the 600 Ship Navy was the single most damaging error, and is the reason why our naval forces are on the downward spiral. Definitely a big hit to our Naval Forces and National Defense today.
Millèy carping about the🇨🇳danger,w/this Democrat from Alabama, has got to be a staggering condition of cloth earred, tone deafness in an quite empty,echo chamber. Trying to play off like they are paying any kind of attention to dangers from foreign entities that do not even have like minded🌎goals,as🇺🇲
She is super smart. Need more people like her in Congress. I love how you let her talk. Most hosts have too much ego to do that. Or, continue to have on super smart guests like Justin Bronk and the Congresswoman. Great, timely info.
Great interview and it is one of your best UA-cam presentations. I have already thought the LCS program was a waste with module issues and propulsion problems that only added to the LCS maintenance expense. The lack of an overall naval strategy is the major impediment to our goals in the Pacific. This issue transcends any political concerns, as said before, you go to war with what you have like Ukraine. Also, you have made me review the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of October 4, 1986.
One thing that's clear - she knows her stuff! Another bit gleaned is that the shipbuilding she wants is not in her district - more destroyers or frigates, all built in Maine or Mississippi. She's advocating for he Navy, not to please a constituency. I sure wish all congressional districts had representatives with such broad knowledge of the issue.
Thank God that Rep. Luria, at least on the issues of national defense & strategic planning, is someone who has an insane amount of intimate knowledge & experience about how the navy works and real world threats. I didn't watch the entire video, but when she was grilling the incompetent politician posing as a general in Gen. Milley, you could tell that Rep. Luria was approaching her line of questioning with authentic concern for the security of our nation. No matter whether there is a D or R by Rep Luria's name, I am profoundly grateful for her service to our nation (as I am w/everybody who has ever worn the uniform) and greatly appreciate the true patriot that she clearly is. Ward Carroll keep pumping out those vids. You're doing a great job!!!
Good conversation. I'm always worried about where conversations with politicians will go, but this was a very informative talk, and very helpful for a citizen trying to understand what the devil is going on in Washington DC.
Very informative!! I really enjoy your channel Ward. Very interesting and educational. I'm a USAF veteran, and I really enjoy learning about Navy air power!! Also, super to see and hear your dad and his experiences in the Marine Corps!! Keep the videos coming and thank you and your dad for your service to our country!!
Rep Luria is a "Breath of Fresh Air". Considering all the culture backlash and grandstanding, it's nice to hear from one of the good ones. I think the pedigree goes a long way in creating good laws versus giving flashy press conferences. Bravo Zulu!
Awesome interview thanks Ward for asking some tough questions and also it's refreshing to see Rep Luria to question Milley so hard! Good to see you and Rep Waltz who are working across party lines on items that actually matter. Please also cancel the pentagon's plan to decommission the F22s we are also severely lacking.
Great interview! Regardless of her political party affiliation she seems to have a genuine desire for the safety and defense of our country. Her questioning of Gen. Milley and her challenges to his answers was spot on.
Thoroughly enjoyed this segment. And I am heartened by the fact that this particular woman occupies a leading role in championing the country's defense needs in the House of Representatives. As always, thank you for sharing. Steve
Best interview of a politician in recent times. Had no idea of her naval background and kudos on that. She is out of phase with me on most issues but I’ll give her props. Hope she’s defeated in November, however.
Thank you Ward. This was extremely enlightening. I first became aware of Rep. Luria as a member of the January 6th committee. Super impressed and glad someone like her is asking questions. I have seen a lot of new women Congress Persons like her recently including Mikie Sherrill from my state of NJ as well as others. I am curious about the decrease in out year VLS cells in both projections. Is there ever a reason to decrease VLS cells?
Great interview Ward. Interesting to hear from an Australian POV. We rely very heavily on our alliance with the US and other allies and seeing you downsize is not what we need when our shipbuilding is even slower than yours and we face the same threat. We could probably get some great use out of those LCSs if you are selling them cheap!
Rep. Luria is a great example of what an elected official should be: articulate, educated, and pragmatic. I might not agree with all her political views, but I can respect her reasoning and coherent arguments.
Can we get affordable, effective ships like the PLAN? She has a shipyard in her district. Will she support real effective investments and not pork barrel crap like the LCS?
The LCSs were deemed unsurvivable in a “blue water” combat situation by the DOD IG’s office. How many billions were squandered on this failure? ANY insertion of U.S. naval assets in or around Taiwanese waters IS a “blue water” combat situation.
Someone already touched on this, but perhaps the LCS’s would be a better fit in the Coast Guard. Certainly a better solution than totally scrapping 9 of them (I think it’s 9) due to propulsion system problems. It’s at least worth consideration.
A fantastic interview and judging by the other comments everyone else likes this content too. Representatives like this give me hope. Great job Mooch. I love how you are creative in providing us different content that keeps this channel fresh and does not become myopic like...an easy trap to fall into.
Excellent insightful interview around a topic v close to our interests in Australia - Taiwan. The US has had some bad press over here in recent times. Your episodes and interviews reveal that your country still has balanced farsighted deep thinkers with great leadership, and the world needs an America with all that. Keep it up, Ward - it’s a great channel.
Clearly an extremely intelligent, articulate person with realistic perspectives on world matters. I hope and pray she is not suppressed by the ideology of colleagues within her party. Great interview!
@@EireHammer As I see it one of those political parties supports our nation while the other is dividing and destroying our nation. It's sad that we have to be "tribal" and take sides but that's the reality imo.
Immense respect for Elaine Luria, and I don't tend to think highly of very many politicians. She is exactly who this nation needs to keep the Pentagon and the Navy, in particular, in check ... on the right track. Her thinking on deterrence as it relates to authorities and clearly stated intent is varsity level (starting around the 19 minute mark).
I don't know where this lady stands on the other things I care about. But, based on her stance on defense, and as much as it would pain me to vote for someone with a "D" infront of their name, if I lived in her district, I would / could vote for her. Thanks, Ward, for the continuing hi-grade content!
Um, You're welcome? I served with then-LTJG Luria on USS Truman in 2000-2001. Never realized that fact until after she was elected. Her candor and knowledge won me over during the campaign in 2018 - and Mr. Carroll's interview shows the need to keep her there working for our district.
What an excellent episode! I wish your 567+ thousand viewers you today would go back and watch this one, we need more knowledgeable Representatives like her in Congress and our Senate! If just one out of five of them were this smart and informed, we would be in such a better place today. Any chances of a second interview with her anytime soon? I just looked up and saw that she stopped serving last year, that was a loss for sure.
Just listened to Punk's War on audible. Fantastic! So good I immediately preordered Punk's fight and Punk's wing. Can't wait for them to become available on audible. 👍👍
Sir, this discussion was very interesting. Certainly, the USN and the Pentagon itself is being pennywise and pound foolish. Rep. Luria was in a lot of cases looking at only a couple of metrics in her analysis, though in general, she was being very conscious of what is happening to the Navy. First, we have to bear in mind that the FFG(X) is ultimately intended to be a replacement for the Perry-class FFG's. Their primary role is still ASW, limited AAW and ASuW. As such, the 32-cell tactical-length Mk. 41 that the new Constellation is armed with is ideally suited for her mission. The FFG(X) does not have Aegis like a Burke, nor does it need to have strike-length Mk. 41's to launch Tomahawk from. The FFG(X) is also armed with a 57mm automatic cannon, 8 x Anti-ship missiles (probably the NSM) and a 21-cell RAM launcher along with 1-2 helicopters. You aren't replacing Ticos or Burkes with the Constellation. You are replacing Perry's which the LCS failed to do. What I am curious about is why the USN is not leveraging Burke Flight-III and Zumwalt technologies to create a new CG(X). The basic Burke design already has a wider beam than the CG-47 Ticonderoga-class Aegis cruisers. It should not be all that difficult to take the Burke Flight-III, insert a hull plug, incorporate the Zumwalt's gas turbine-electric drives and increase the number of VLS cells to match or even exceed the 128 VLS cells of the Tico, including an additional module for a select number of large VLS cells for hypersonic strike missiles if necessary. The increased fineness ratio of the redesigned hull would increase fuel efficiency and speed at the same time as providing the badly needed space for the growth margins that the current Burke hull is lacking. Why redesign the wheel when all you have to do is put on a bigger tire?
John Lehman as Sec of the Navy was also a reserve officer in the Navy. A story was dais that when he was placed on active duty as an A-6 Intruder BN, while SecNav, his fellow officers asked "how to address him", he (supposed to have replied) "LCdr Lehman but you may kiss the ring". I have a feeling that his commitment to the Navy as an afficer (having gone from O1 to O4/5 level) gave him an insightful perspective as SecNav.
1) Great Talk. So nice to see a knowledgeable member of Congress. Let's hope that she can teach others. 2) Agreed about strategic clarity. Ukraine proves that strategic ambiguity actually _encourages_ aggression. 3) China is dependent on the US economically. If we stop buying stuff from them then they collapse. Therefore, sanctions similar to those imposed on Russia would be crippling. Perhaps that alone may be sufficient deterrence for China. However, that _and_ a naval big stick gives both deterrence and denial. 4) The Navy may be correct that surface combatants are less important than subs, drones, long-range missiles, and aircraft in the missile-heavy South China Sea. As Rep. Luria says, we need launch tubes. DEFENSIBLE launch tubes. That's subs and aircraft. B21 is good in that context. Corollary: Large surface combatants are the naval analogy of tanks. *_We don't need more big, expensive, targets._*
The issue is, the US along with most of the developed world also relies on China whereas Russia was just providing a percentage of oil/gas and as such was slightly painful for some regions but not critical. Trying to tackle China in the same way, would be...tricky, to say the least. It's much more of a two way thing rather than in Russia's case where it relies on imports from the rest of the world in various industries etc. I don't think China would ever try to take on the US militarily, I think they'd probably be much more subtle than that so as to avoid direct confrontation and the destruction of their economy which is fragile. If the rest of the world didn't depend on China so much, it'd be very easy to exert influence on them in deterring their intervention in the sovereignty of Taiwan
@@nicwilson89 Tricky but not impossible. Economically, we (and the world) have the larger stick(s) than China. But, yeah... economic deterrence AND military denial reduces risk of conflict.
@@jimd4201 Yep. And technology is challenging their ability to do that in the future. Which is why they have chosen to spend their limited budget on subs, drones, missiles, and aircraft. That's a good balance and matches Rep. Luria's concern for launch tubes.
@@billb5732 The main argument for the tank, or the air defense missile cruiser, or aircraft carrier, is that no other tool can solve the task they do as well as they can, even if weapons technology admittedly has become more deadly. Subs don't have adequate active defenses, and have limited arsenals that ought not be rearmed at sea due to vulnerability and detectability. Their only real defense is to be small, stealthy targets in a big empty sea. The use of wolfpacks, drone sub swarms, or force concentration is therefore contraindicated, and they cannot replace the carrier task force in capability. The common infantryman isn't obsolete yet either, despite the extreme lethality of rifles, machineguns, artillery, missiles or drones compared to the many previous generations of weapons technology throughout history; we have just had to adjust and refine our employment tactics relative to the local threat level.
Ward thanks for conducting this interview. Glad to see I am not the only one worried about the reduction in ships and launch capabilities. I wonder if the lack of urgency in The DOD budget is because they know that the Senate and the House will plus up the budget for additional ships.
Come for the Tomcats, stay for the insightful discussions with elected representatives on national security and budgetary implications of foreign policy.
Does that sound like a man who had all he could eat?!!!
Exactly
Rep. Luria comes across as a thinker willing to confront both sides of an issue without defaulting to party bias. I am sure I'd disagree with her on some of her conclusions, but, solely from this interview, it seems her heart is genuinely in the right place to be a solid representative for the people regardless of what letter precedes her name.
Wish like blazes that being a member of Congress allowed for not defaulting to party bias. In an eight hour day a House member, be it D or R spends 7 hours and 45 min doing things that will refill the reelection war chest. Staff takes care of the rest. You can't do much if you don't stay in Office so the DNC and the RNC makes it clear that your promises and vote record will depend on the amount of re-election support $$ you get and which committee assignment/s you get to be on. Committee that have a proven track record of generating reelection money from district supporters and others wanting Government contracts.
That's all for which a citizen could ask.
The real question is; how does she vote?
@@gravitypronepart2201 Precisely the partisan position that is destroying this nation. To hell with that.
@@gravitypronepart2201 google it. Voting records are available and easy to find b
Thank you, Congresswoman Luria, Commander. Retired Chief here. Very informative interview. When I read about the decom plans for the Ticos all I could do was shake my head and wonder just how dumb can our leadership get. Your math on the loss of VLS cells was very impactful. WARD, more like this PLEASE.
Thanks, Chief!
Best part of this interview… “but you didn’t really answer the question”. Love that you hold people accountable to the answers in an interview. I don’t think she intentionally avoided answering it but politicians are so used to giving non-answers that it’s great when interviewers force them to give an answer. Love the channel!!
Ward has added interviewer and reporter to his vast repertoire.
And then she answered! Agree...great moment!
@daniiel mlinarics That's funny. I thought he was a Tomcat NFO. Accusing him of being a PAO seems like an insult.
the politicians these days are morons ,,the wh is more concerned about illigeals and the green new lie,,,this is very serious,,,right now our military isnt ready for war,,,we are giving our weapons to the war in ukraine that we need to defend againist,,,china has more ships than , us , plus the threat from n.korea,,,to hell with the russian mess,,,we need to be ready for china,,,
@@desertodavid Yes. I know he was a RIO. A RIO is an NFO. I took it up one level of abstraction. I served 26 years in Naval Aviation, 4 Aircraft carriers, 2 squadrons, many deployments. Retired now. Your astute input is highly valued.
The quality of the people you're regularly interviewing is a testament to your hard work in building this channel.
It is comforting to know we have people such as Rep. Luria in our congress..Thank God...and I am an atheist by the way
I fear that she may be a one, not a sample.
A reasonable Democrat. We should capture and study her. We can put her in the stall between Bigfoot and the Unicorn.
Not so much for me. The overarching trend is rapidly hurling over the edge of the cliff. Sane advice is simply ignored.
You might be right.
SHE WILL BE STOPPED! THIS WAY BIGGER THAN Rep. LUEIA (I AGREE WITH YOUR COMENT)
Wow, this was an awesome interview. Ward has the gift of letting his guest speak and only asking pertinent questions. Brilliant.
I don't know Ward but just based on watching his videos for quite some time now I think he's improved quite a bit in the area of letting his guests speak w/o interruption.
This was great, a conversation about complex issues that need to be thought out and answered not just pass this budget and we will deal with next year. Lets all hope that the next Decision we make on ship building is right we can't afford another fail like DDG 1000 or LCS .
Ward- time to consider political office. All jokes aside, you’d have my vote!
We can probably figure out how to at least get some utility out of the Zumwalts. The LCS is so fragile (especially the aluminum-hulled Independence class) & costs nearly as much to operate there’s a case to be made that keeping them in service just isn’t worth the effort. I support we could just take the existing bulls, forward base them in the Pacific & just pray that the Independence-class doesn’t physically disintegrate & Freedom’s combining gear somehow manages to not break down. Not worth spending more money on them than we have to, thought,
Amazing interview! That was worth more than one year's worth of anything CNN, Fox, or CBS has ever done. Keep up the good work. I hope you can interview the CNO.
Agreed
those media companies are more concerned with pushing political agendas than actually having an honest discussion.
This is fantastic Ward. I couldn’t peel myself away from this interview even for a minute. I am pleased that we have Rep. Luria advocating for the Navy.
this is a great segment. You're really delivering some high value, high relevance content. Loved the reference to Alfred Thayer Mahan. His book is still a worthwhile read. thanks Mooch !
Loved the video. We need a big and powerful Navy to defend our country and keep our treaty commitments. You go to war with the military you have and not the military you want. Thank you, Mooch.
No, no we don’t. The US has the only real blue water navy in the world. It’s time for our allies to stand up for themselves and help with those treaty obligations.
So true. Have we forgotten the lessons of ill-preparedness leading up to WWII? I learned at the Naval War College about the perpetual folly of preparing to fight the last war, or worse, not preparing to fight at all. Our top military leadership is more worried about selfishly bending to the latest shifts in the political winds, than seriously preparing to deter or fight the next war. Does anybody really doubt that the threat is China?
@@bearowen5480 what are you talking about
...or the military we HAD!
Rep. Luria is an intelligent, knowledgeable, logical thinking member of Congress! That puts her in the top 1% in my book. I'd say her Annapolis and Navy training prepared her to be a valuable member of the Legislature. Ward, if you talk to her again, I have a few questions that I'd like to hear her discuss.
1. Why did we build 2 separate classes of LCS with almost no commonality? This basically doubled the number of spare parts we needed to stock. 2. Considering the backlog of ships & subs waiting for shipyard availabilities, why did we close half of our Naval Shipyards? I spent much of my Navy career at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and the nearby Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity in Charleston and we never had a lack of things to work on. It seems that we beat our shipyards into plowshares and now we need more shipyards again. 3. Why is it that the leadership in the Navy swings from extreme caution in new ship designs to extreme innovation? The reason our Tico Cruisers look the way they do is that the ship designers felt that a larger hull was needed to have space for all of the capabilities that were wanted for these ships. "The Admirals" said no to a new hull design; It was too risky--just use the Spruance DD hull. So that was what was done, with the end result being that the superstructures look like the Manhattan skyline. Consequently, they have problems being somewhat top heavy (they tend to roll more than other ships and have stress problems in the superstructure. On the other extreme, we packed new technology into the Zumwalt DDGs and USS Gerald Ford that cost a lot of money and were extremely disappointing. 4. Why is so much emphasis being put on unmanned combat ships and subs? Is it partially motivated by difficulty in meeting recruiting goals? Our Navy has a well earned reputation in damage control excellence. Have there been any studies done to evaluate whether there will be an increased risk of losing uncrewed vessels because of a lack of damage control--or can these vessels provide some sort of automated damage control?
So True , We need people like her in government with REAL Knowlage . We need REAL Strategic Planners , We Also need REAL Tactical planners , and Tactical flexabability
Wow! What a throwback! Someone with the courage to reach across the aisle for the betterment of the Navy. We'll done. Great interview and ibterviewee.
Glad to finally see someone in the government who actually knows what they are talking about. This lady has served on ships, she knows first hand what we need to make the navy stronger.
Wow. Another fantastic episode. At the same time, I feel bothered better about Congress and worried about the leadership in the administration. Rep Luria is impressive and I’m so glad she’s there. Thanks for giving more spotlight to her and I wish her great success (for all our sakes)
"bothered better about Congress"? What does that mean?
Yet another excellent interview. I always prefer ex-military lawmakers to deal with our military budget for obvious reasons. I’m impressed by her actions.
I totally agree.
I come away from this incredibly impressed with the Representative. Not only is she exceptionally intelligent and well-informed, she is speaking from an amazingly non-partisan position. We would be much better off as a nation if there were more people like her in Congress and fewer twits making fools of themselves in hearings to generate soundbites to promote themselves on cable news, then checking twitter moments later to see if their little nonsense performances are trending. I don't agree with everything she said, but I don't doubt that she has dug deeply into the facts and is thoughtful and genuine about her positions which is sadly rare in DC. We're lucky that in times when such very significant threats exist against our nation, that someone intelligent, able to restrain herself from partisanship and with such a focus on what is good for the nation is in Congress.
Thanks for the detailed, thoughtful, and thought provoking discussion with a serious representative of the people. I wish the media would focus more on these hard-working representatives who take they jobs seriously and don't just use them as an excuse to grandstand. This is a fantastic channel.
Great Interview.
One thing that only barely got touched on is the issue of maintaining the fleet. We are seeing ships go in for major maintenance and then stay offline for years. Ships being run hard and put away wet in poor material condition because of the lack of shipyard resources.
We clearly need a larger more potent fleet to be able to deny China the ability to invade Taiwan. But we also need a fleet where the ships are properly maintained and the sailors properly trained to go forth into harms way.
Excellent interview. The congresswoman is both classy and competent.
@Paul Loveless - Couldn't agree more. Congresswoman Luria is definitely in her element when discussing this issue. It was an interesting discussion between compatriots who share a common knowledge base. She made a compelling argument for her position and I hope she can persuade enough Representatives in the house to see it.
She's a Democrat, you can't take anything she says seriously.
@@mountedpatrolman - I can take anything she says seriously. You are free to indulge in your tribalistic delusion.
@@wickedcabinboy Tribal? She's acting like anyone could take anything serious to this president and expect a coherent answer. GTFOH. BTW I'm not a Republican by any means tool, the GOP is a joke.
so refreshing to hear someone talking honestly and without pulling punches. I like what Rep Luria has to say.
Hi Ward. Really enjoy your channel and the diversity of subject matter. I serve a Hospital Corpsman from 1976-1980, then as an Army Officer from 1986 to 2008. It was apparent during the 1990's that the National Security Strategy was being reverse engineered from a pre-determined budget target figure. During 20023-2003, I was a student at the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA and had a front row seat to the build up and start of the Iraq War, while the Nave fought for the LCS program, the Air Force fought for the F-22 and the Army fought for the FCS (Future Combat Systems) program. Rep. Luria has her hands full dealing with this mess.
Excellent interview, thank you to Rep Luria and Mr. Carroll for bringing this to us. Many thoughts stem from this interview and recent pubic news about the Navy, the new budget, and the USS George Washington that highlight serious deficiencies in our military procurement process in general and the Navy modernization process in particular.
Here are some of thoughts going around in my mind.
Regarding the LCS line of ships, are they better served supporting the USCG? Perhaps we need a hybrid Navy-CG program to man and operate this line of ships to provide the near-shore/coastal threat mission originally envisioned for this craft. This is a niche capability which the US Navy appears to not or no longer want to perform. Did this possibly happen when admirals, who advocated for the LCS, retired? Now the Navy only wants open water duty? I don’t know, but we’ve invested a great deal in these ships, let’s please try to get our money’s worth out of them.
Regarding the Navy ship building program, do we need a commission similar to the “BRAC” or Base Realignment and Closure program? Let's call it the Navy Mission Realignment and ship building and retirement program! I'm not convinced the Navy can be completely trusted with US tax dollars on their own. But seriously, a committee with retired Navy, Contractors, US Representatives, and possibly others to consider the Navy mission, define the role, then create the program to get us and the Navy there, may be helpful? We can't continue with a group of admirals saying we need LCS, then retire and the next group say we don't want LCS. Not a good way to run a navy!
Last one - the USS George Washington. What is going on here? Three sailors commit suicide while in port? Sailors are forced to live aboard ship during construction? Four or more years to refuel a ship??? What is wrong with this picture? It appears to me we need a dedicated, US Navy, refueling facility, with land crew accommodations in port/on base. Additionally, refueling time greatly needs to be reduced - how about six months not four years? Design and build ships with accessible reactors, with refueling designed into the platforms. A ship off-line four years is a problem. I suggest we reconstitute the US Navy, Philadelphia Ship yard or another facility, for this permanent mission. Philadelphia once built battle ships so it possibly could handle the large sized Carriers, and certainly the smaller vessels. It’s centrally located on the east coast, supporting numerous requirements - very important. And most importantly, it could free up Norfolk/Newport News ship yard space for new construction.
Mr. Carroll, thank you, and please continue to bring us this valuable and timely content.
This lady is just to nice to say out loud what everyone else is think: “the department of the Navy is run by a bunch of empty suites that are full of crap”.
Milley is a joke
Yes, because she is intelligent enough to realize she'd sound like a hypocrite. She bailed on the fleet just before making flag rank, i.e. actually getting promoted into a position to change the problems she's talking about.
@@GintaPPE1000 your babbling
They are all waiting to get out and be paid millions by defense contractors…
The Department of Navy doesn't get to set the military budget or the allocation of resources between branches. They don't even get to set the actual Naval strategy. They can provide input to it, but someone higher up the food chain makes those decisions. They are having to make difficult tradeoffs.
K.I.S.S. Peace through strength.
The cost to implement and maintain this axiom pales in comparison to the cost of war.
The key to sustaining this is educating and convincing the public and congress of the need to support this mission as you are with this platform. Stay the course Ward!
Dang It Mooch! You did it AGAIN!! Proving - again - that you're much cooler than me. Great interview and something we would NEVER get anywhere else. It felt more like a conversation than an "interview", so I felt more confidence in the honesty of the answers. Good job, thanx!
This interview provides such a stark contrast to the divisive way that the general media cover anything these days. She's a smart and qualified leader who deserves to have her voice heard more widely. Thanks for the segment.
Great segment. Awesome to see legislators fighting the good fight, and pressing forward in bipartisan agreement. Good counterpoint to the division that is shoved at us from many sides.
Excellent. It’s reassuring that a dedicated professional has her eyes on Navy mission & procurement. She is, at the same time, a member of the House January 6th Committee, and your interview increased my personal confidence in her judgment, curiosity and intellect to fairly examine and determine the issues that historic event presents. Thank you.
She has chosen career over jugement,
and she may live to regret it.
@@kaewakoyangi8071 I don't understand your point. Hope you'll comment a bit further.
@@timtruett8368
The January 6 commission is like the Warren commission: perpetrators investigating their own crime and trying to frame innocent people for it.
Whoever accepts to be part of it will pay, if not in this world, certainly in the next.
@@kaewakoyangi8071 Thank you for replying. There is no member of that Committee who in any rational way can be labeled a "perpetrator." Such a viewpoint is beyond cynicism.
Mr. Carroll Sir. Thank you for a great follow up. I can’t help but realize how we as American armed forces Veterans never feel relieved of our National Oath. Thank you Sir for all you do to help your viewers understand the rapidly challenging National Security situation.
Explain Jan 6 then, and the vets who still support the Big Lie; undermining the peaceful transfer of power in our great nation. Some vets need to revisit that oath.
At my age I'll probably miss it but it's wonderful to see and hear people like Rep Luria knowing t there's a chance they'll be leading this country before long. We're foundering miserably and only people of her caliber can save the day.
Loved this interview, Ward. Please have her back.
I could listen to her speak all day long! It's so good to know we have people like her in congress. This is great Mooch!!!
What a sharp lady. Had my entire attention with every word she said. Not your typical politician who blows smoke and avoids direct answers. Rep Luria is extraordinarily knowledgeable on modern naval warfare, capability, and needs. Great discussion. BZ CDR. Luria and CDR Carroll.
Outstanding interview.
It was amazing that during the interview when she was giving current fleet numbers, the thought of President Reagan's desire for a 600 Ship Navy, when I was Active Duty, then a few moments later, she touched on it.
I strongly feel the failure to achieve the 600 Ship Navy was the single most damaging error, and is the reason why our naval forces are on the downward spiral. Definitely a big hit to our Naval Forces and National Defense today.
we need more of her caliber in office. Thanks for doing this Ward.
Ward, great video. Retired US Amy, Gen Milley is one of the worst examples of leadership we have.
I am retired U.S. Army as well and feel that Milley is a sack of s***...
Millèy carping about the🇨🇳danger,w/this Democrat from Alabama, has got to be a staggering condition of cloth earred, tone deafness in an quite empty,echo chamber. Trying to play off like they are paying any kind of attention to dangers from foreign entities that do not even have like minded🌎goals,as🇺🇲
Truth
explain
She is super smart. Need more people like her in Congress. I love how you let her talk. Most hosts have too much ego to do that. Or, continue to have on super smart guests like Justin Bronk and the Congresswoman. Great, timely info.
Thanks, bro!
Not as smart as you think..thinks locking horns with China over Taiwan is something we have to do
Another great pick for an interview pertaining to our national conversation.
Great interview and it is one of your best UA-cam presentations. I have already thought the LCS program was a waste with module issues and propulsion problems that only added to the LCS maintenance expense.
The lack of an overall naval strategy is the major impediment to our goals in the Pacific.
This issue transcends any political concerns, as said before, you go to war with what you have like Ukraine.
Also, you have made me review the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of October 4, 1986.
This lady has her eyes open and knows what to look for in real time. Good job!
One thing that's clear - she knows her stuff! Another bit gleaned is that the shipbuilding she wants is not in her district - more destroyers or frigates, all built in Maine or Mississippi. She's advocating for he Navy, not to please a constituency. I sure wish all congressional districts had representatives with such broad knowledge of the issue.
Thank God that Rep. Luria, at least on the issues of national defense & strategic planning, is someone who has an insane amount of intimate knowledge & experience about how the navy works and real world threats. I didn't watch the entire video, but when she was grilling the incompetent politician posing as a general in Gen. Milley, you could tell that Rep. Luria was approaching her line of questioning with authentic concern for the security of our nation. No matter whether there is a D or R by Rep Luria's name, I am profoundly grateful for her service to our nation (as I am w/everybody who has ever worn the uniform) and greatly appreciate the true patriot that she clearly is. Ward Carroll keep pumping out those vids. You're doing a great job!!!
Good conversation. I'm always worried about where conversations with politicians will go, but this was a very informative talk, and very helpful for a citizen trying to understand what the devil is going on in Washington DC.
Very informative!! I really enjoy your channel Ward. Very interesting and educational. I'm a USAF veteran, and I really enjoy learning about Navy air power!! Also, super to see and hear your dad and his experiences in the Marine Corps!! Keep the videos coming and thank you and your dad for your service to our country!!
Very impressive. Thank you both!
Rep Luria is a "Breath of Fresh Air". Considering all the culture backlash and grandstanding, it's nice to hear from one of the good ones. I think the pedigree goes a long way in creating good laws versus giving flashy press conferences. Bravo Zulu!
Awesome interview thanks Ward for asking some tough questions and also it's refreshing to see Rep Luria to question Milley so hard! Good to see you and Rep Waltz who are working across party lines on items that actually matter. Please also cancel the pentagon's plan to decommission the F22s we are also severely lacking.
What a competent , well-spoken woman! Really great interview
Are you a biologist?!?
No..anthropologist...
Great interview! Regardless of her political party affiliation she seems to have a genuine desire for the safety and defense of our country. Her questioning of Gen. Milley and her challenges to his answers was spot on.
Thoroughly enjoyed this segment. And I am heartened by the fact that this particular woman occupies a leading role in championing the country's defense needs in the House of Representatives.
As always, thank you for sharing.
Steve
Best interview of a politician in recent times. Had no idea of her naval background and kudos on that. She is out of phase with me on most issues but I’ll give her props. Hope she’s defeated in November, however.
Excellent interview Mr. Carroll!! Full of great information! Thank you for doing this!
God damn, Ward! Very informative with an operator who has been there like yourself! Thanks for taking us along! Keep up the AMAZING work!!!!!
You do us all a great service .
Thanks!
I really enjoyed this interview, really hope there’s several more on the horizon.
An amazing leader, and a great interview.
GREAT INTERVIEW WARD! GOOD JOB Rep. ELAINE LURIA! ALL MY RESPECT!
That was great. One of the most amazing interviews I have ever seen. She is such a qualified representative.
Thank you Ward. This was extremely enlightening. I first became aware of Rep. Luria as a member of the January 6th committee. Super impressed and glad someone like her is asking questions. I have seen a lot of new women Congress Persons like her recently including Mikie Sherrill from my state of NJ as well as others. I am curious about the decrease in out year VLS cells in both projections. Is there ever a reason to decrease VLS cells?
January 6th Committee? it's a leftist abomination. She's right about ship building, but she's dead wrong on domestic issues!
To cut payroll costs.
Great interview. We need more people like Rep. Lucia.
Thank you for sharing this! It is refreshing to know there are still collegial representatives in Congress!
Thanks for a very informative video. Nice to see we have someone with the depth of knowledge needed in this process!
Great interview Ward. Interesting to hear from an Australian POV. We rely very heavily on our alliance with the US and other allies and seeing you downsize is not what we need when our shipbuilding is even slower than yours and we face the same threat. We could probably get some great use out of those LCSs if you are selling them cheap!
"we face the same threat"...Islamist terrorists?
Rep. Luria is a great example of what an elected official should be: articulate, educated, and pragmatic. I might not agree with all her political views, but I can respect her reasoning and coherent arguments.
Can we get affordable, effective ships like the PLAN? She has a shipyard in her district. Will she support real effective investments and not pork barrel crap like the LCS?
@@badlt5897 Think US union shipbuilders would work for Chinese wages?
@@AA-xo9uw OR maybe award contracts to the lowest bidder (oh wait we have MIC monopolies now so the taxpayer pays whatever they say we pay.)
@@badlt5897 I don’t think any of the shipyards in Virginia are building those turds
Thank you - one of the most insightful congressional discussion I have heard over the past many administrations. Well done Sir!
One of the most important videos you have made.
I have to agree. Thanks, Randy.
The LCSs were deemed unsurvivable in a “blue water” combat situation by the DOD IG’s office. How many billions were squandered on this failure? ANY insertion of U.S. naval assets in or around Taiwanese waters IS a “blue water” combat situation.
Someone already touched on this, but perhaps the LCS’s would be a better fit in the Coast Guard. Certainly a better solution than totally scrapping 9 of them (I think it’s 9) due to propulsion system problems. It’s at least worth consideration.
A fantastic interview and judging by the other comments everyone else likes this content too. Representatives like this give me hope.
Great job Mooch. I love how you are creative in providing us different content that keeps this channel fresh and does not become myopic like...an easy trap to fall into.
Excellent insightful interview around a topic v close to our interests in Australia - Taiwan. The US has had some bad press over here in recent times. Your episodes and interviews reveal that your country still has balanced farsighted deep thinkers with great leadership, and the world needs an America with all that. Keep it up, Ward - it’s a great channel.
Bad press, USA? Nooooo
A timely discussion with an intelligent and well informed rep. Hope it forms the basis of better strategic action and implementation.
Clearly an extremely intelligent, articulate person with realistic perspectives on world matters. I hope and pray she is not suppressed by the ideology of colleagues within her party. Great interview!
The rampant insanity and treason of the OTHER Party is the problem.
@@wildtimbrown both parties have their fools and visionaries, if your going to be tribal support your nation not a political party.
@@EireHammer ^^^
@@EireHammer Only one party is claiming that a US election was rigged and that armed insurrection against the US government was "normal protesting".
@@EireHammer As I see it one of those political parties supports our nation while the other is dividing and destroying our nation. It's sad that we have to be "tribal" and take sides but that's the reality imo.
Wow! What an impressive person. Most impressive.
This channel gets better and better, the guest speakers are always top, I have leant so much. Thank you
Great interview. I felt like I was back in a NWC JMO lecture.
excellent interview and yeah it renews my faith in the professionalism and intelligence of at least one member of congress
Can always depend on Mr. Mooch for well produced and thoughtful content. What a great channel!
This was awesome and content in which there is a definitive lack of. Great job
Should have 7.8M views. Excellent dialogue.
Immense respect for Elaine Luria, and I don't tend to think highly of very many politicians. She is exactly who this nation needs to keep the Pentagon and the Navy, in particular, in check ... on the right track. Her thinking on deterrence as it relates to authorities and clearly stated intent is varsity level (starting around the 19 minute mark).
I don't know where this lady stands on the other things I care about. But, based on her stance on defense, and as much as it would pain me to vote for someone with a "D" infront of their name, if I lived in her district, I would / could vote for her.
Thanks, Ward, for the continuing hi-grade content!
Rep. Luria is right. We need to have define strategy for Taiwan. This might change the one China policy.
Way to late for that, you best Chance is in the 90s. When Soviet was done, China was weak.
Well stated
What an impressive person she is! We (as in the Western world) need more like her.
Good job to Ward and to VA’s 2nd for electing a thoughtful sincere public servant
Um, You're welcome? I served with then-LTJG Luria on USS Truman in 2000-2001. Never realized that fact until after she was elected. Her candor and knowledge won me over during the campaign in 2018 - and Mr. Carroll's interview shows the need to keep her there working for our district.
That loose tie is unsat Ward.
Not the first time I've been unsat.
Rockstar good interview. Eye-opening.
What an excellent episode! I wish your 567+ thousand viewers you today would go back and watch this one, we need more knowledgeable Representatives like her in Congress and our Senate! If just one out of five of them were this smart and informed, we would be in such a better place today. Any chances of a second interview with her anytime soon? I just looked up and saw that she stopped serving last year, that was a loss for sure.
This was a thoughtful and informative interview. Well Done.
Fascinating insights to be had here, Representative Luria gives an aura of competence too. Oh and Wards suit is looking sharp!
Just listened to Punk's War on audible. Fantastic! So good I immediately preordered Punk's fight and Punk's wing. Can't wait for them to become available on audible. 👍👍
This is why I keep coming back! Wonderful analysis and educated insight into the actual issues that affect our reality. Keep it coming, please!
Sir, this discussion was very interesting. Certainly, the USN and the Pentagon itself is being pennywise and pound foolish. Rep. Luria was in a lot of cases looking at only a couple of metrics in her analysis, though in general, she was being very conscious of what is happening to the Navy. First, we have to bear in mind that the FFG(X) is ultimately intended to be a replacement for the Perry-class FFG's. Their primary role is still ASW, limited AAW and ASuW. As such, the 32-cell tactical-length Mk. 41 that the new Constellation is armed with is ideally suited for her mission. The FFG(X) does not have Aegis like a Burke, nor does it need to have strike-length Mk. 41's to launch Tomahawk from. The FFG(X) is also armed with a 57mm automatic cannon, 8 x Anti-ship missiles (probably the NSM) and a 21-cell RAM launcher along with 1-2 helicopters. You aren't replacing Ticos or Burkes with the Constellation. You are replacing Perry's which the LCS failed to do.
What I am curious about is why the USN is not leveraging Burke Flight-III and Zumwalt technologies to create a new CG(X). The basic Burke design already has a wider beam than the CG-47 Ticonderoga-class Aegis cruisers. It should not be all that difficult to take the Burke Flight-III, insert a hull plug, incorporate the Zumwalt's gas turbine-electric drives and increase the number of VLS cells to match or even exceed the 128 VLS cells of the Tico, including an additional module for a select number of large VLS cells for hypersonic strike missiles if necessary. The increased fineness ratio of the redesigned hull would increase fuel efficiency and speed at the same time as providing the badly needed space for the growth margins that the current Burke hull is lacking.
Why redesign the wheel when all you have to do is put on a bigger tire?
Ward you go from strength to strength - becoming the host of a channel and any figure in the zone has to consider as a place to make their point
John Lehman as Sec of the Navy was also a reserve officer in the Navy. A story was dais that when he was placed on active duty as an A-6 Intruder BN, while SecNav, his fellow officers asked "how to address him", he (supposed to have replied) "LCdr Lehman but you may kiss the ring". I have a feeling that his commitment to the Navy as an afficer (having gone from O1 to O4/5 level) gave him an insightful perspective as SecNav.
Great interview. More of this!
Damn Mr. Carroll, you're looking sharp as hell.
1) Great Talk. So nice to see a knowledgeable member of Congress. Let's hope that she can teach others.
2) Agreed about strategic clarity. Ukraine proves that strategic ambiguity actually _encourages_ aggression.
3) China is dependent on the US economically. If we stop buying stuff from them then they collapse. Therefore, sanctions similar to those imposed on Russia would be crippling. Perhaps that alone may be sufficient deterrence for China. However, that _and_ a naval big stick gives both deterrence and denial.
4) The Navy may be correct that surface combatants are less important than subs, drones, long-range missiles, and aircraft in the missile-heavy South China Sea. As Rep. Luria says, we need launch tubes. DEFENSIBLE launch tubes. That's subs and aircraft. B21 is good in that context.
Corollary: Large surface combatants are the naval analogy of tanks. *_We don't need more big, expensive, targets._*
The Navy has a century long, deeply anchored tradition of reflexively big brass defended big, expensive, targets.
The issue is, the US along with most of the developed world also relies on China whereas Russia was just providing a percentage of oil/gas and as such was slightly painful for some regions but not critical. Trying to tackle China in the same way, would be...tricky, to say the least. It's much more of a two way thing rather than in Russia's case where it relies on imports from the rest of the world in various industries etc.
I don't think China would ever try to take on the US militarily, I think they'd probably be much more subtle than that so as to avoid direct confrontation and the destruction of their economy which is fragile. If the rest of the world didn't depend on China so much, it'd be very easy to exert influence on them in deterring their intervention in the sovereignty of Taiwan
@@nicwilson89 Tricky but not impossible. Economically, we (and the world) have the larger stick(s) than China.
But, yeah... economic deterrence AND military denial reduces risk of conflict.
@@jimd4201 Yep. And technology is challenging their ability to do that in the future. Which is why they have chosen to spend their limited budget on subs, drones, missiles, and aircraft. That's a good balance and matches Rep. Luria's concern for launch tubes.
@@billb5732 The main argument for the tank, or the air defense missile cruiser, or aircraft carrier, is that no other tool can solve the task they do as well as they can, even if weapons technology admittedly has become more deadly.
Subs don't have adequate active defenses, and have limited arsenals that ought not be rearmed at sea due to vulnerability and detectability. Their only real defense is to be small, stealthy targets in a big empty sea. The use of wolfpacks, drone sub swarms, or force concentration is therefore contraindicated, and they cannot replace the carrier task force in capability.
The common infantryman isn't obsolete yet either, despite the extreme lethality of rifles, machineguns, artillery, missiles or drones compared to the many previous generations of weapons technology throughout history; we have just had to adjust and refine our employment tactics relative to the local threat level.
Thank goodness for her and others like her
Ward thanks for conducting this interview. Glad to see I am not the only one worried about the reduction in ships and launch capabilities. I wonder if the lack of urgency in The DOD budget is because they know that the Senate and the House will plus up the budget for additional ships.