The US Navy. Composition of the US Navy. US Navy bases

In the early 21st century, the military leadership of the United States activated several large-scale programs, the main purpose of which was to improve the combat capabilities, combat capability and organizational structure of the navy. At the moment, the reorganization plans of the US Navy are nearing completion. At the same time, programs are actively being implemented to build up and restructure the combat fleet, forming its future base of 313 ships. The strategic principles of the military purpose of the Navy along with the Coast Guard, the Marine Corps and the fleets of friendly and allied partner countries of the United States have been substantially extended and supplemented . These principles are enshrined in the recently developed American naval strategy.

Organizational structure

The US Navy has a fairly conservative and almost unchanged structure for almost two centuries. The current changes have affected mainly the internal structure of individual commands (middle and senior level) and the main governing bodies. The navy includes the fleet and infantry, which, in turn, consist of reserve units and regular forces. In this case, the infantry can formally be equated to a separate type of armed forces. There is also a maritime security unit at the disposal of the Ministry of Homeland Security. But this is only in peacetime. In the conditions of an emergency or war, it becomes subordinate to the naval forces.

The US Navy, whose composition is constantly replenished, by mid-2008 included 332 thousand people. Of these, 51 thousand are officers. The number of marine infantry is at the level of 175 thousand people, of which 40 thousand are in reserve.

Two Fleets

According to the administrative organization, all the armed forces are consolidated into two fleets: the Pacific and the Atlantic. They combine the forces of the Marine Corps, as well as air, surface and underwater forces. In addition, the Navy includes 10 coastal and 4 interflot commanders of the central subordination.

Atlantic Fleet

Created in 1906, the Atlantic Fleet changed its status several times. In 1923 he was reorganized into a patrol and reconnaissance. In 1941, he again became the Atlantic with a change in the rank of command. If earlier this fleet was headed by the Rear Admiral, now the rank has risen to the full ("four-star") admiral. From 1947 to 1985, the fleet was headed by the Commander-in-Chief (GK). In addition to his basic duties, he oversaw ships in the Atlantic. In 1986 he was transferred to the post of deputy. At the end of 2002, the title of commander-in-chief was abolished by the defense minister (became applicable only to the US president), and the newly appointed admirals and generals again began to be called commanders. In 2006, the status of the Fleet Command (FFC) was upgraded to the command of the US Navy (USFFC). And the commander of the Atlantic Fleet began to lead the fleet forces of the United States and received expanded powers.

Pacific Fleet

The head of the Pacific Fleet is in direct subordination to the commander of the US Navy, which provides advice on logistics, training, manning and deployment of the general fleet. At the same time, he oversees the forces of both the Atlantic and the Pacific. In addition, the head of the Pacific Fleet is responsible for managing the Navy formations that are part of the Joint Armed Forces (USJFCOM) of the Strategic and Northern Command. In the administrative plan of the USFFC, only the Atlantic Fleet is subordinated, as well as five coastal and two inter-Fleet commands.

Operational fleets

These are the highest operational associations in the US Navy. On the basis of the unification of several structures of the Atlantic Fleet, the 2nd (North Atlantic), 4th (Caribbean) and 6th (Mediterranean) fleets were formed. The homogeneous forces of the Pacific Fleet are represented by the 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet. The diverse operational detachments, formations and groups that form part of the operational fleets are equipped with auxiliary vessels, ships and various units (marines, aviation, etc.).

Ministry of the Navy

This is the supreme administrative authority for the management of the Marine Corps and the forces of the fleet. In accordance with the tenth article of the constitution, the Minister of the Navy controls all day-to-day activities of the Ministry, including those related to demobilization, mobilization and organizational activities, the formation of personnel, equipment, equipment, supplies, training of units and formations of the US Navy, the photo of which is attached to this Article. The minister also reviews programs for the production (or construction), repair and modernization of ships, equipment and military equipment, as well as onshore structures and facilities. In addition, he formulates strategic concepts and programs related to the preservation of national security, according to the orders of the Minister of Defense and the President of the country.

Naval Staff

It is the supreme governing body of the country's Navy. It is headed by the chief commander (in fact the commander) of the naval forces. The Minister of the Navy entrusted him with the general command of the fleet. He is responsible for the use of all government resources and prompt response of the current naval command bases of the US Navy. He also advises the Minister of the Navy and the President on the conduct of military operations and is responsible to them for all decisions taken. The commander of the Navy is subordinated to the first deputy, the administrative head of the staff and four deputies who head the main departments (network systems and communications, the development and planning of strategic concepts, education, personnel and training of personnel, which will subsequently be selected by the form of the US Navy , the integration of resources and capabilities ).

Headquarters of operational fleet units

Combined with the headquarters of other operational fleets (4, 5 and 6) and have a clear organizational structure, verified by years of military experience. Such a staff, headed by a deputy commander, includes staff departments (reconnaissance, operational, personnel, operational planning, logistic support, etc.) and departments (chaplain, medical, security, etc.).

Combat staff of the US Navy

Due to its potential (balanced structure and combat capabilities), it has always been consistent with the scope and scale of the operational and strategic tasks set during the entire twentieth century. After the end of the "cold war" and the significant "warming" of the international military climate, the combat composition was greatly reduced. But this is only a temporary measure. Although if compared with other countries, then the United States is not so bad. For example, the ratio of the Russian Navy to the United States is 1 to 10.

At the beginning of the XXI century, the country's leadership and members of the High Command of the Navy thought about increasing maritime power. They justified this by the US joining the war on international terrorism. In fact, the reason for this war is not in a terrorist threat, but in the threat of an international energy crisis. This war is still going on in the Middle East, transforming into a frank struggle for total control over international markets for raw materials.

Air force

This includes the US Navy's multipurpose aircraft carriers, which are the main nucleus of strike groups and formations and one of the most important components of the Navy's operational fleets. At present, ten (of 11) ships of this class have nuclear power plants.

When there is an operational deployment of air strike groups, each aircraft carrier begins to take on board the airship assigned to him. Since one of the 11 ships is constantly on the planned overhaul, the management of the regular Navy has formed ten such wings. Each of them includes up to 80 helicopters and airplanes. And the squadron composition is completed from the Pacific and Atlantic fleets and partly from the Marine Corps. In total, the aircraft of the Navy has 4000 air units.

The pace of construction of airplanes, helicopters, submarines and surface ships is conditioned by the regulations for the formation of the necessary ship, expeditionary and carrier-based strike groups.

Surface forces

These include the US Navy surface ships of the main classes: 22 cruisers (Ticonderog), 33 assault ships, 52 destroyers (Orly Burke), 30 frigates (Oliver X. Perry), 10 universal Taravs. In addition, there are 9 helicopter ships-docks, 12 transports-docks and 14 minesweep "Evengers." Thus, the total number of US Navy ships is 104 units. In the future, it is planned to significantly increase this figure.

Surface-based warships provide all types of protection in places of combat mission and during naval transitions by sea. They also take part in special operations to inflict rocket and artillery strikes on coastal and naval targets. In addition, amphibious ships were included in the updated fleet formations. There are also mine-sweeping vessels, independently participating in mine action operations. By the way, most recently in the Russian media mentioned two new ships of the US Navy in the Black Sea. The ships appeared there on the eve of the Olympic Games in Sochi in order to ensure security.

Contracts for the construction of the first two destroyers (DDG -1000 and -1001) were signed in early 2007 for seven and eight years. The Navy also allocated funds for the construction of five similar ships (DDG-1002-1006). By 2018 they will be completely ready. In 2011 and 2013 the construction of two cruisers of the CG (X) project began. Their transfer to the fleet will take place in 2019. These ships were designed on the basis of the DD (X) project and were planned as a replacement for 22 cruisers of the Ticonderoga type. However, it is very problematic to continue building a series of ships of the CG (X) project. Therefore, the IUD is considering various alternatives. One of them is the creation of five cruisers. But the final decision has not yet been made.

The importance of military operations in the coastal areas served as an excuse for creating ships of a completely new class in the LCS project - coastal coastal combat vessels. The first two ships (Independence and Freedom) were already transferred to the fleet in 2008 and 2009. The construction of the next two vessels (LCS-3 and -4) was suspended because of an exorbitant increase in the cost of work on previously signed contracts. These contracts were terminated. Undoubtedly, multipurpose ships of this class are very important for the Navy, but construction financing is postponed for an indefinite period. In total, 55 ships were planned for the LCS project. The final decision will be made only after a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the combat characteristics of the already constructed samples. Then the Navy will choose the best project. In any case, the completion date of this program will have to be moved much further than the one indicated in the 2020 plan.

Underwater forces

Includes 4 PLARKS (Ohio), 52 multipurpose submarines (45 Los Angeles, 4 Virginia and 3 Sea Wolfs) and 14 SSBNs (Ohio).

The life of nuclear submarines (PLA) in the US Navy has been extended to 2040 in accordance with the overall development plan. By that time it is planned to adopt a new generation of ballistic missiles and submarine missile carriers.

According to the current fleet development program until 2020, the navy will need a submarine of 48 units. But this figure is not final and can change both in large and in smaller side.

Annually, starting in 2009, one multipurpose nuclear submarine (Virginia) was built. The latter will be commissioned in 2015. These submarines will replace part of the Los Angeles boats, which have almost expended their operational life. Since 2011 it was planned to allocate funds from the budget for the construction of two submarines annually, and by 2018 - to provide the US Navy with a 30th SSA of this type. The probability of implementing this plan is very high.

Auxiliary fleet

Currently it is represented by 10 vessels of logistics service and 32 mobile ones. In addition, the floating base of the submarine is included in the category of specialized vessels, and the floating base of the SSBL belongs to the nuclear missile forces of the MB. Now the fleet also includes 5 units of ammunition transport (a new type of "Lewis and Clark") and supplies. The total number of the US Navy (namely ships) was listed above.