The Navy augmented forces ashore in Afghanistan and Iraq with personnel to support the ground war. Fourteen thousand Navy men and women are serving ashore in the Central Command area of responsibility (AOR), more than the 10,000 who are afloat in that AOR.
In February, the Navy marked the completion of the 1,000th Trident ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) patrol since first deployment of the USS Ohio (SSBN 726) in 1982.
The persistent presence of naval forces requires a robust logistics system. The fleet is sustained at sea by a combat logistics force of replenishment ships that literally bring the supply chain right alongside the fighting ships so they can remain on station. During the year, two more USNS Lewis and Clark-class T-AKE replenishment ships, USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) and USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), joined the fleet.
During 2009, several new surface combatants and amphibious ships entered the fleet.
Freedom began testing and evaluation, and USS Independence (LCS 2) was delivered to the Navy. The Navy announced it would select from one of the two ship designs in 2010. Freedom will deploy earlier than originally scheduled to close urgent warfighting gaps, carrying a tailored surface warfare mission package, including a prototype maritime security module to provide visit, board, search, and seizure capability.
Construction of Zumwalt (DDG 1000) began at Bath Iron Works. The DDG 1000 design was more mature than any lead ship surface combatant to date at the start of construction in February 2009. Guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) were commissioned, and the Navy has announced a restart of the DDG 51 production line.
In September, USS Makin Island [LHA 8] became the eighth Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, and the first built with a fuel-efficient hybrid-electric propulsion system. In November, USS New York (LPD 21) was commissioned in New York City. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport’s bow incorporates steel salvaged from the site of the World Trade Center, which was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001.
Additionally, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the oldest of the Aegis cruisers, was modernized to become the most capable of the missile cruisers. All of the 22 guided-missile cruisers will be modernized. Hull, mechanical, and electrical upgrades, as well as improvements to combat systems, will provide the capability to pace emerging threats and ensure Aegis cruisers and destroyers remain combat relevant throughout their expected service life.
New ships, aircraft, and systems are being developed and built to meet a pressing requirement. The current average age of naval aircraft is 19.5 years, for example, the highest average in the history of naval aviation. The Navy has stated it needs a floor of 313 ships, but currently has 289. The first of six Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) P-8A Poseidon aircraft and the first of four F-35 carrier aircraft commenced construction. Since the beginning of 2009, seven ships have been delivered to the fleet, while construction started on five. Additionally, the Navy procured 89 boats and craft and conducted 186 foreign military sales.
The Navy continued its commitment to joint programs, such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). The Navy versions of the JSF will be able to land and take off from amphibious assault ships (F-35B) as well as aircraft carriers (F-35C) to provide air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strike capabilities. JHSV will be built for both the Navy and Army to quickly move troops and their vehicles and equipment within a theater of operations. The first of the class will be named Fortitude.