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That is the Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) as it was leaving Toulon, France yesterday, May 22, 2023.
SNMG2 decided to honor the United States Navy by having one of its destroyers be its flagship. Yes, that rusting eyesore is the flagship of SNMG2.
One of the most high profile alliance units is Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2).
Because of its high profile and extended operations with alliance nations, the ships we assign to SNMG2 don’t just represent the USA as any warship that “shows the flag” does, but it imprints on the mind of military and civilian leaders in Europe the quality of the US Navy and by extension, the nation it serves.
Our opponents in the world will also see it as an indication of our general health, morale, and the respect we show our friends.
The US Navy decided that this was the warship they wanted to represent the US Navy and the nation it serves. This was an act of commission - of intent - as conscious an act as that which ensured that in the last few years that warship was not manned, trained, equipped, or maintained at a level which would allow for basic maintenance. Even as she got ready to get underway, no one stopped her. No one tried a last minute fix. The whole evolution has an ambiance of, “Who cares. Send her.”
Don’t think the insult isn’t properly understood, if not to Congress and the American people, then to our friends and competitors. Don’t think this isn’t the talk of allied wardrooms.
Just look at her condition when she showed up to take up flagship duties.
Next time someone gives you some unnecessarily complicated explanation as to why the US Navy has severe recruiting problems, just stop them short and show them the picture of the WILLIAMS and ask them, “Would you want to serve in this Navy? Would you want your friends, family, or potential mate see you waving from this deck?”
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Yes, recruiting problems caused not only by this “rusting eyesore”, but by the embarrassing eyesore of a drag queen doing recruiting ads for them.
What a joke we are to the world!
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