In the military’s validation process for units deploying into combat zones a large part of that validation is dependent upon soldiers and sailors being proficient in their weapons, communications and defensive equipment.
Risk assessments are created to determine percentages of risk for damage and destruction of a force based largely on the capabilities of any force to fight with equipment on hand.
Kenneth R. Weiss of the Los Angeles Times reports in “Citing U.S. security, Bush backs Navy in sonar fight” that the United States Navy is not being permitted to train to its validation standards due to an injunction based in environmental political posturing.
The Navy has been repeatedly hamstrung in its efforts to “…evaluate and certify the Pacific Fleet’s strike groups as properly prepared…” President Bush has requested an “exemption” to the Navy to permit the training to be conducted.
Quoting the report: “The administrative actions and court filings set up a struggle between the administrative and judicial branches of government in a case that pits environmental protections against troop readiness and national security.”
The Navy needs to train in the defense of America. Conservationists are concerned about the type of sonar used by the Navy because it can disturb marine mammals. The original training plan was established in October of 2006 and was submitted to California’s Costal Commission. In January 2007 (a more than 2 month delay) the commission “instructed” the Navy to “take additional steps to protect marine mammals” that would not then permit the Navy to train to standard.
After the Navy voiced its opposition to the restrictions of the Coastal Commission, the commission filed a lawsuit against the Navy with the support of several environmental groups. An injunction was issued against the Navy training exercises.
The courts are still working this process and the Navy is still not training and validating deploying units.
Environmental laws are wonderful things. Streets are clean, air and water are clean, vehicles burn unleaded fuels, “Adopt A Highway” keeps roadways mostly clear of piled trash and other road hazards. There are even major military programs involving environmental protection.
The sad part of war fighting it that it is not clean. War is dirty. Things get destroyed and blown up. People are killed. Sometimes things are destroyed and people are killed by direct fighting. Sometimes things get destroyed and people are killed as part of the “collateral damage”. Sometimes things are destroyed and people are killed on the streets of America. Many times the things that get destroyed and the people who are killed are destroyed and killed due to poor training and inadequate preparation.
The World Trade Center, The Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, The USS Cole, The 1993 World Trade Center attack and a host of other atrocities happened in part to lax training and preparedness. Military, police and intelligence service agencies are suppose to be able to prevent attacks and respond to enemy threat.
Military, police and intelligence services not permitted to train to their standards becomes a threat to the security of the nation and its people. A Navy incapable of using sonar is blind and vulnerable.
I understand that environmental activism is the need to love trees and whales more than God, country or humanity. I believe that mentality is warped when it stands in the way of national security. The courts should step aside and permit the Commander In Chief to keep his forces prepared.
What good can come of and unprepared and untrained Navy?