Flexibility called key to new readiness plan
| • | Navy to speed up rotation of duty |
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
The Navy's new readiness plan doesn't necessarily mean sailors will stay at sea longer than the usual six months, although in some cases that might be required, a Pacific Fleet spokesman at Pearl Harbor said.
"Flexibility is the key," Lt. j.g Mike Morley said. "It means changes in our manning, maintenance and training are going to be tailored to meet emergency surge requirements much faster. Basically, we're having (more ships) ready on deck if needed."
The "Fleet Response Plan" would affect most of Pearl Harbor's 12 surface ships and 18 attack submarines, which regularly escort aircraft carriers on deployment.
"It is significant," Morley said, "and again, it's going to be about changing the orientation of the fleet away from that 'gearing up for the next deployment' to one of 'how soon can we become part of the emergency surge force?' "
Morley said the plan is so new it hasn't yet been communicated to sailors, who will get the details through their chain of command.
The war in Iraq showed longer duty at sea sometimes is needed. The Pearl Harbor destroyer Paul Hamilton, frigate Reuben James and submarine Cheyenne recently returned from nine months on deployment.
