>>>>>>>>>>It wouldn't take the 'mighty U.S. war machine' but simply a navy seal team (or maybe the British SBS would volunteer) :o)
>>>>>>>>>>but even that is not without risks
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>I wonder if somebody enters the service expecting to fight pirates.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Yes, but not the service, but rather when someone is accepted into a special program of the service...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>However, it could be assumed that it is indeed a specified role of the navy and falls under their purpose to “Keep all Free trade Shipping lanes open”
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>They may as well. There doesn't seem to be much military need for a navy in the modern world.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>You're kidding, right?
>>>>>
>>>>>As a means of delivering supplies and troops, the navy still has a place. As a fighting force, no. We have probably seen the last sea battle.'
>>>>
>>>>There is also the purpose of a mobile launch platform. Our subs have, I believe, more warheads immediately available than our land installations and carrier based aircraft as well as ships firing missiles like the TOW are essential. Sure, the days of the big battleship may be over, since they are so vulnerable but the navy is still a very major combat component.
>>>>
>>>>And don't forget, the range of a N. Korean missile wouldn't be much of an issue if it were fired from a sub 20 miles off the coast of LA.
>>>
>>>
>>>And you know that the North Koreans have no submarines with that capability and no missiles with that either . But its always good to hear the "security lobby".
>>
>>My point was not at all about a North Korean threat - only that with a proper navy launch platforms can be brought closer to enemy territory and therefore throw becomes less an issue. It also obviates ideas of "first strike", since you don't know where all the launch platforms are.
>>
>> Mike was saying the navy no longer had an important roll in combat and I was pointing out that if N Korea or whoever had a powerful navy (China certainly is putting alot of money in taht direction) that could get 20 miles off teh coast with a sub they wouldn't need ICBMs. And if you want to defend against such a threat, you need a navy.
>>
>>I wasn't trying to drum up fear of The Great Leaderito but talking about the role naval power plays that doesn't involve something like Trafalgar or Midway.
>
>
>Fair point then . :-)

Ah, good, now I can contact 5 to take you off the list of suspected North Korean agents ... <bg>