Navy Cancels, Postpones Deployments Due To Sailor Shortage, New Readiness Requirements

The U.S. Navy has cancelled or delayed ship deployments over the last year due to personnel shortages and new readiness requirements put in place after a pair of deadly accidents in 2017, reports Military.com.

The service canceled the deployment of the destroyer USS Momsen to the South Pacific and elected not to send the amphibious ship USS John P. Murtha to the Rim of the Pacific exercise last year due to these ongoing concerns, Adm. John Aquilino, head of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, as cited by USNI News.

On several occasions, officials have asked for additional time to prepare and train for missions because the sailors are not certified to do the job, said Adm. Christopher Grady, head of Fleet Forces Command.

Grady said he had postponed the deployment of an unspecified ship for three weeks to allow it to complete necessary training.

Aquilino and Grady testified before a special joint session of the House Armed Services readiness and seapower subcommittees on the effectiveness of recent personnel reforms implemented by the Navy after the 2017 mishaps.

The admirals expressed satisfaction with the new policies, which require ships to have the necessary personnel, equipment and training before deploying. A shortfall of around 6,200 sailors in at-sea billets has created challenges, the senior officials said.