Proceedings - December 2023 Vol. 149/12/1,450

The War of 2026: American Sea Power Project Phase III

By Captain Bill Hamblet, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 2023

This month and next, the American Sea Power Project confronts the Chinese military threat head on.

CEO Notes

December 2023

It is my great honor and privilege to have been given the opportunity to build on the success of the past 150 years.

Sea cadets on the water in a Coast Guard 45-foot fast-response boat.

Comment & Discussion

December 2023

Readers respond to articles on EABO, Leadership, and more.

Thank You For Your Service

By Captain Samson C. Stevens, U.S. Coast Guard

December 2023

“Thank you for your service” should be said both more frequently and beyond the armed forces.

Recruiting should focus on the Navy’s mission and purpose—why it offers a more meaningful career than most corporations and how subscribing to a greater cause can be more fulfilling than pursuing another option.

Recruiting Is More than a Job Offer

By Lieutenant Tim Caucutt, U.S. Navy

December 2023

The Navy is scrambling for a life ring.

Training and equipping Coast Guard port security units to operate and counter uncrewed systems would help protect critical ports both at home and abroad.

Equip Port Security Units with Uncrewed Systems

By Lieutenant Commander Frederick “Andy” Cichon, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 2023

Coast Guard port security units must be trained and equipped to operate and counter uncrewed systems.

A sailor cleans the ship’s bell on board the USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114). Engagement can come in many forms, including pride in a sailor’s assigned space.

Risk Mitigation: It’s the Little Things

By Airman Trevor D. McManus, U.S. Navy

December 2023

Serving in the Navy comes with great rewards but also can entail sacrifice.

A Chinese destroyer and amphibious assault vehicles fire on Taiwan in the opening assault of the War of 2026.

The War of 2026: Phase III Scenario

By Commander Paul Giarra and Captains Bill Hamblet and Gerard Roncolato, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 2023

This final phase kicks off with a scenario describing a potential conflict with China over Taiwan.

A Marine assigned to 3d Marine Division under the unit deployment program during live-fire maneuver drills on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.

Put III MEF in a Fighting Stance

By Lieutenant Colonel Brian Kerg, U.S. Marine Corps

December 2023

The American Sea Power Project’s “War in 2026” from the stand-in force’s perspective.

An artist rendering of the USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) firing the Conventional Prompt Strike long-range hypersonic missile.

It All Comes Down to Sea Control

By Captain Scott Tait, U.S. Navy (Retired), and Commander Anthony LaVopa, U.S. Navy

December 2023

Winning the surface fight in this scenario would require first rolling back the Chinese Navy’s sea control from east to west, and then going on the offensive.

A Los Angeles–class submarine at periscope depth in the western Pacific.

You Can’t Win Without (More) Submarines

By Captain William Toti, U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 2023

Submarines were one of the few forces that could penetrate denied areas inside the exclusion zone declared by China

Mine Warfare Could Be Key

By Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired)

December 2023

Mines are perhaps the most pernicious and frustrating obstacle a ground or maritime force can face.

EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 209 simultaneously fire two AGM-88 high-speed antiradiation missiles during a training exercise near Guam. The AGM-88 is the Navy’s sole antiradiation strike missile, and relatively short ranged considering the threat in the 2026 scenario.

Strike Warfare’s Inventory Problem

By Commander Graham Scarbro, U.S. Navy

December 2023

Not enough aircraft, ammunition, and aviators presents risks the Navy will have to face in the War of 2026 scenario.

A Regulus missile being fired from the USS Halibut (SSGN-587). Until the advent of the Polaris missile, Regulus was the Navy’s primary at-sea contribution to strategic nuclear deterrence.

On Strategy

By A. Denis Clift

December 2023

Highlighting 150 years of strategy in U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings.

The USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) in the Yellow Sea while in the midst of deployment in support of the Navy’s Seventh Fleet. The Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutters have more than proven their worth, but it is time for the service to consider the requirements for its next national security cutter.

Replacing a Legend: The Next-Generation National Security Cutter

By Lieutenant Brian Adornato, U.S. Navy Reserve

December 2023

The Coast Guard should consider the operating context and fleet composition as it designs the NSC(X).

U.S. Naval Institute's 2023 Naval & Maritime Photo Contest

December 2023

The winners, runners up, and honorable mentions in the Institute’s 2023 contest.

The USCGC Campbell (WMEC-909) intercepts a rustic vessel of Cuban migrants about 65 miles south of Marathon, Florida. As the Coast Guard’s missions continue to expand, the service must abandon its scarcity culture in favor of one that cultivates each service member’s success.

Do Less with Less

By Lieutenant (junior grade) Elizabeth E. Nixon, U.S. Coast Guard

December 2023

To be more effective, the Coast Guard must reevaluate its culture.

Student naval aviators operate a flight simulator for training in the T-6B Texan II. The ability to take ground school knowledge from the classroom to the cockpit is what separates future naval aviators from those who may not make it.

Tips for Earning Naval Aviator Wings of Gold

By Lieutenants (junior grade) Alan Seabrooke, Gabe Schilke, and Sean Lennon, U.S. Navy

December 2023

Mastering how to study for flight school is just as important as committing to regular study, and good lifestyle habits can enable a student to learn more effectively.

Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six perform maintenance on an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter while deployed on board the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the western Pacific.

Fix the Helicopter Afloat Maintenance and Parts Supply Problem

By Chief Warrant Officer Carlos Ayala, U.S. Navy

December 2023

The MH-60 community faces increased challenges balancing maintenance and operational needs against limited hangar and flight-deck space with fewer helicopters on the carrier.

The Textron Systems Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), shown here, can be used for mine sweeping and neutralization. At approximately 12 meters long, the CUSV would benefit from a new “green over red” light scheme to warn civilian mariners in its operating area.

Give Mine Countermeasure USVs a New Light and Shape

By Lieutenant Commander Matthew Hipple, U.S. Navy

December 2023

MCM operations involving multiple USVs less than 12 meters long over a wide area leaves mariners visually unaware of the USVs’ restricted maneuvering status and surrounding danger.

Book Reviews

December 2023

Experts review Subversion, China's New Navy, and other new and noteworthy books.

Where We Were

December 2023

A look back at the December issues of Proceedings from 1923, 1973, and 1998.

Nearly 2,000 sailors from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and Carrier Air Wing 15 wish the United States a “Happy Holidays” at the conclusion of their six-month western Pacific deployment on 14 December 1994.

From Our Archive

December 2023

Photos from the Naval Institute's Photo Archive.

An ADARO unmanned system operating near the USS Oakland (LCS-24) during the Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem 21, which tested integration of manned and unmanned capabilities.

Explosive USVs for Littoral Warfare

By Major Michael McHugh, U.S. Marine Corps

December 2023

Innovative strides in propulsion, navigation, and communication technology have led to a new breed of surface striking systems: explosive uncrewed surface vessels.

The Shahid Soleimani with a helicopter on the flight deck.

Iran’s first VLS missile catamaran

By Eric Wertheim

December 2023

The more conventional Islamic Republic of Iran Navy operates most of Iran’s larger warships and submarines and is responsible for longer range, extended-duration missions.

The Navy is expected to begin installing the WSN-12 Inertial Navigator System (inset) on ships across the fleet in 2025, including on Virginia-class and other fast-attack submarines.

Now Arriving: Fiber-Optic-Based Navigation

By Edward J. Walsh

December 2023

The Navy is nearly set to start at-sea testing of an inertial sensor module (ISM), the key component of Northrop Grumman’s new WSN-12 Inertial Navigator System