Navy to Stay With 10 Air Wings

Despite efforts to cut JFK (read more here and here) from the fleet and slim down from 12 carriers to 11, Big Navy has no plans to cut the number of air wings from 10.

The recently completed 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review calls for reducing the number of carriers from 12 to 11, which Adm. Robert Willard, Vice Chief of Naval Operations says is "adequate." But "we intend to hold to 10 air wings," he adds, noting 10 carrier air wings "is a key factor" in meeting Navy goals of maintaining a continuous carrier forward presence while having the ability to dispatch a "surge" of six carriers in emergencies.