PACOM to retain seven BMD ships despite collisions

The Navy has enough ballistic missile defense ships to keep seven of those ships in the 7th Fleet despite the recent collisions of the destroyers Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and John S. McCain (DDG-56), according to a senior Navy official.

Adm. Scott Swift, commander of 7th Fleet, "has what he needs to replace the BMD capability that he thinks he needs to have at this crucial stage," Adm. Bill Moran, vice chief of naval operations, testified to the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces and readiness subcommittees on Sept. 7.

Moran, and Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, surface warfare director in the office of the chief of naval operations (N96), who was also testifying to Congress, deferred several questions pending the results of two ongoing naval reviews.

Moran directed U.S. Fleet Forces commander Adm. Phil Davidson to conduct a 60-day comprehensive review of surface fleet operations and incidents last month. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, speaking at a Sept. 6 conference, said he would ask for industry's help to conduct a strategic readiness review focused on best practices.