As we look to the future, we are all wondering what the world is going to look like. Concern is high due to the downward glide?slope of the stock market, threat of bankruptcy for many of the United States’ most influential financial institutions and major automobile manufacturers, and the rise of extremism and terrorism around the world. It is often claimed there isn’t enough money, there aren’t enough people, there isn’t enough of many of the things we would like to have. Where are we going to be tomorrow? We in Naval Aviation also are concerned regarding the budget, how it will affect the Navy and the impact a reduced budget will have on carrier aviation.
Let’s look at the facts. First, the way of the U.S. economy is the way of the world economy. The world needs our economy to be strong. It will rebound, but it will take time. Second, next to the election and the economy, immigration may be the next most popular topic. This tells me that despite all the doom and gloom, the United States and its ideals are still a shining light to the world.
Naval Aviation took due notice of the election because of the beauty of it all. That is the American ideal of a free country, where a peaceful election and a peaceful transfer of power occurs through our democratic process. Regardless of the candidate we supported, the democratic process rang true. This is what we in Naval Aviation are fighting for — freedom — and what others around the world can only dream about. We give the rest of the world hope.
So where will we be one, two or four years from now? No one knows for sure, but the significance of Naval Aviation will continue to be of premier importance to the President of the United States. The U.S. Navy will be the force of choice when diplomacy means 90,000 tons of sovereign U.S. territory, operating in internal waters, close to someone’s front porch, with enough fire power to stabilize an otherwise unstable situation, or ready to respond should the call for immediate military action come from the National Command Authority.
Will there be challenges? There will be many, and the one that is of highest priority to solve is the strike fighter shortfall. It is real and needs immediate attention and hard decisions. If there are no other forces available overseas, if foreign friends no longer welcome us on their soil, Naval Aviation will be there, and we need to have the maximum amount of firepower to remain relevant and to carry out the strategic missions of the United States.
With piracy on the rise, terrorism a worldwide problem and the threat to our national security a daily concern, now is the time to cement our resolve and to mitigate risk. Naval Aviation supports both of those objectives and is committed to remain strong, to protect our national interests and to promote world freedom, and to reduce tyranny and terrorism. We are ready, willing and able to answer the call of diplomacy — fused ordnance, on target, on time, when called upon to do so by our democratically elected officials.
Keep the faith with Naval Aviation. Look for opportunities to tell our story. Sign someone up to be a member of the Tailhook Association. We are proud members of Naval Carrier Aviation and we are the force that will withstand the test of time. Our nation and our security depend on it. Our nation trusts Tailhook Aviation to be ready — and we are.