Blockades, 11-month deployments, the Vietnam War, shipbuilding plans, and some love for our friends from The Philippines…a full plate for a Midrats Free for All.

Summary

This episode covers the recent return of the USS Gerald Ford after a 326-day deployment, the significance of naval operations, shipbuilding plans, and geopolitical considerations in the Indo-Pacific region. The hosts analyze naval readiness, technological advancements, and strategic challenges facing the US Navy.

Show Links

• FORD Carrier Strike Group receives Presidential Unit Citation.
• USS Mahan (DDG-72) returns from deployment
• USS Midway (CV-41) off Vietnam 1973
• Easter Offensive of 1972
• Hong Kong’s Mary Soo
• Executive Orders:
  • 14192
  • 14265
  • 14269
• Latest Shipbuilding Plan
• Decades-long requirement for a nuclear powered escort
• Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III,by Shyam Sankar and Madeline Hart
• Episode 393: Building the right carrier; heavy, medium, or light with Tal Manvel
• Balikatan 2026
• China, the unwanted guest

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Overview of the USS Gerald Ford’s Deployment
10:01: Lessons Learned from the USS Gerald Ford’s Deployment
14:24: Historical Context of Carrier Deployments
22:29: Life on Deployment: Experiences and Morale
30:27: Current Naval Operations and Future Considerations
33:02: The Ongoing Naval Operations in the Persian Gulf
38:55: Challenges in Aircraft Carrier Deployment
44:47: The Future of Shipbuilding and Naval Assets
50:54: The Role of Nuclear Power in Modern Naval Warfare
56:52: International Naval Cooperation and Exercises