The USS Mount Whitney is an amphibious command ship, so there’s no way she’s going anywhere near the Russians. However, she is also the Afloat Command Platform for NATO Naval Forces, which might signal further NATO intervention to protect shipping lanes…
This is NCD, so the only appreciate conclusion to draw here is as follows: Crimea invasion imminent!
Come to think of it the USA and the British Empire before them draw their power from controlling the oceans and ensuring international trade goes smoothly and brings them coins. If a certain someone starts shooting left and right at legitimate merchant ships it’s kinda a matter of credibility to show up for “the maritime power”.
Is the US Navy even a maritime power though? Aren’t they more of an airborne power these days, given they have the second largest fixed-wing air force in the world (right after the USAF)
number of ships ain’t everything.
Top 10 Most Powerful Navies in the World (by total tonnage - 2014):
- United States - 3,415,893
- Russia - 845,739
- China - 708,886
- Japan - 413,800
- United Kingdom - 367,850
- France - 319,195
- India - 317,725
- South Korea - 178,710
- Italy - 173,549
- Taiwan - 151,662
