Blog - Americans for a Stronger Navy

May 24, 2025May 24, 2025

Memorial Day Tribute: Rediscovering USS F-1’s Centennial Sacrifice

A Century-Old Tragedy Resurfaces Under the Waves

On December 17, 1917, the U.S. submarine USS F-1 was lost during a routine training exercise off the coast of San Diego, claiming the lives of 19 shipmates when it collided with another vessel and sank beneath the waves (CBS News, @EconomicTimes).

Cutting-Edge Technology Illuminates the Deep

This Memorial Day, unprecedented high-definition imagery of the F-1’s final resting place—more than 1,300 feet below the surface—has been released, thanks to a collaborative deep-sea expedition using WHOI’s human-occupied vehicle Alvin and the autonomous vehicle Sentry, alongside advanced sonar and photogrammetric surveys (Live Science, Phys.org).

Why Americans Should Care

Each Memorial Day, we honor those who paid the ultimate price. The rediscovery of USS F-1 reminds us that—even after a century—our nation remains committed to remembering and learning from the sacrifices of our naval service members. Their stories are woven into the fabric of American resilience, inspiring future generations to uphold the freedoms they defended.

Implications for the Navy

Documenting century-old wrecks reinforces the Navy’s dedication to preserving its heritage and honoring fallen shipmates. These expeditions not only advance undersea research and technology but also strengthen esprit de corps by connecting today’s sailors with the service and sacrifice of those who came before (CBS News, GreekReporter.com).

Implications for Our Allies

Such deep-sea collaborations—uniting WHOI, the U.S. Navy, and federal science agencies—highlight the value of joint research efforts. By sharing technology and expertise, we and our partners enhance maritime domain awareness and build a legacy of mutual respect in exploring and safeguarding the ocean’s depths (CBS News, Phys.org).

A Call to Remember

This Memorial Day, let us pause to honor the 19 souls of USS F-1 and all U.S. naval personnel who have fallen in service to our country. Their courage beneath the waves continues to guide and inspire our mission above them.

The Lost Souls of USS F-1

John Robert Belt, Seaman
Frank Matthew Bernard, Machinist’s Mate, 2nd class
William Lester Cartwright, Seaman
Harry Le Roy Corson, Chief Electrician’s Mate (G)
James Goonan, Chief Gunners’ Mate
Simon Greenberg, Electrician’s Mate, 1st class
Edward Emerson Hall, Machinist’s Mate, 1st class
Lyman Frederick Lovely, Machinist’s Mate, 2nd class
Ralph Edgar McCluer, Electrician’s Mate, 2nd class (G)
Duncan Archie McRae, Electrician’s Mate, 1st class
John Peter Albert Messang, Chief Machinist’s Mate
Grover Edwin Metz, Machinist’s Mate, 2nd class
Ray Elsworth Scott, Electrician’s Mate, 1st class
Elbert Peshine Smith, Machinist’s Mate, 2nd class
Guy Raymond Stewart, Chief Machinist’s Mate
Dudley Stough, Chief Gunner’s Mate (T)
Charles Fridley Vincent, Electrician’s Mate, 2nd class (G)
Thomas Alfred Walsh, Machinist’s Mate, 1st class
Clyde William Wyatt, Machinist’s Mate, 1st class

A Prayer for Our Fallen Shipmates

Let us bow our heads. O Lord, we honor these 19 brave souls who gave their lives beneath the waves. Grant them eternal rest in Your boundless mercy. Comfort their families and shipmates who carry their memory forward. May their sacrifice never be forgotten, and may we, strengthened by their courage, walk in the path of duty and devotion. Amen.

A Call to Remember

This Memorial Day, let us pause to honor the crew of USS F-1 and all U.S. naval personnel who have fallen in service to our nation. Their courage beneath the waves continues to guide and inspire our mission above them.

To learn more about U.S. naval history and join a community dedicated to honoring service and strengthening America’s maritime future, sign up for the Americans for a Stronger Navy Educational Series at StrongerNavy.org.

May 16, 2025May 17, 2025

Red Sea Security: USS Truman Leads—Sailors Shine, Partners Should Participate

Bill Cullifer, Founder of Americans for a Stronger Navy — Bill Cullifer, Founder

Latest Situation (March – 16 May 2025)
• USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) with Carrier Strike Group 8 remains on station in the Bab-el-Mandeb.
• Two F/A-18 Super Hornets were lost overboard on 29 Apr and 7 May; both pilots recovered safely.
• A 6 May U.S.–Houthi cease-fire has paused attacks on coalition shipping —but excludes Israel.
• The EU’s Operation ASPIDES and the Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond provide additional air-defence escort.

Praising the People Behind the Headlines
News outlets focus on the dollar value of lost jets, yet the larger story is the deck crews who recovered the pilots, kept the flight deck running in 110 °F heat, and logged 14-hour days so tankers and fighters could protect global trade. Their skill and sacrifice merit the spotlight.

Where Are Our Partners?
• Royal Navy – HMS Diamond integrates its Sea Viper missiles with Truman’s Aegis screen.
• European Union – Four to six frigates rotate through convoy duty under Operation ASPIDES.
• Gulf States & Mega-Shippers – Benefit most from secure lanes yet contribute the least in hardware or funding.

Who Should Pay the Bill?
• Introduce a transparent Security Surcharge on Suez transits to finance missile reloads and aircraft repair.
• Offer Tiered Insurance Rebates for ship owners who fund escorts or provide logistics support.
• Launch a “Steel for Stability” program inviting regional partners to place their own SAM systems aboard coalition ships.

Why Americans Should Care
Twelve percent of global trade flows through the Bab-el-Mandeb. Disruptions inflate prices on everything from bread to smartphones. Protecting these sea lanes protects American wallets and jobs.

Implications for the Navy
• Sustained wartime tempo highlights the need for deeper missile magazines and faster depot-level aircraft repair.
• Replacing two Super Hornets costs more than the Navy’s entire FY-26 public-affairs budget — evidence that recapitalising naval aviation is non-negotiable.

Implications for Our Allies & the Global Economy
• EU frigates prove burden-sharing works but capacity is limited.
• A durable cost-sharing framework would stabilise Red Sea security regardless of election cycles in Washington, Brussels, or Riyadh.

Call to Action
The sailors aboard Truman are buying time for diplomats and insurers to craft a lasting solution. Let’s ensure they’re not the only ones paying the bill. Explore our free, 24-episode educational series “Charting the Course: For Country. For Unity. For a Stronger Navy.” at StrongerNavy.org to learn how you can add your voice and expertise.

April 26, 2025April 26, 2025

Sea Power at Risk: What Every American Needs to Understand Now

Introduction

Every once in a while, something stops you in your tracks — not because it surprises you, but because it sadly confirms what you already knew deep down. That happened to me again recently, thanks to an article my old shipmate, Captain David Lennon, USNR (Ret.), sent my way — part of an ongoing decade-long conversation we’ve been having about where naval power is headed, and how the world around us is changing faster than many realize.

The article described a sobering reality: the UK simulated an attack on its own air defenses, modeled after the first night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It wasn’t pretty.

What it revealed — and what Captain Lennon and I both see with growing clarity — is that the way we think about air superiority, naval strength, and even national security itself must urgently evolve.

Old Assumptions Are Crumbling

For decades, we built our strategy around two key ideas:

That we could achieve and hold air superiority across an entire theater
That our home bases would remain safe while our forces projected power abroad

Today, both assumptions are under direct assault.

I’ll admit, I’m deeply nostalgic about the Navy.
There’s nothing quite like standing watch on a destroyer’s deck in the warm air of the Pacific, watching the sunset melt into the horizon, feeling the salt spray on your face, and the gentle roll of the ship beneath your boots.
You smell the ocean, you hear the distant call of seabirds, and you feel part of something bigger than yourself.

Every sailor should have the chance to experience the thrill of far-off ports, the pride of representing America abroad, and the awe of watching our best and brightest launch and land from the deck of a mighty aircraft carrier.
It’s a feeling that stays with you for life — a connection to the sea, to service, and to something that must be protected at all costs.

But the battlefield is changing.

Air superiority is no longer theater-wide — it’s trench to trench, rooftop to rooftop, fought with swarms of cheap drones, cyberattacks, and hypersonic weapons that can strike deep into what we once called the “rear areas.”
Even home bases can no longer be assumed safe.

As someone who later spent a career in the technology sector, I can tell you from firsthand experience: cyber threats are not hypothetical.
They’re already here — probing, stealing, destabilizing.

Maritime cyber vulnerabilities are now national vulnerabilities.

The Harsh Lesson of a Simulated Attack

The urgency of this shift was driven home by a recent UK military exercise.

In a simulation based on the first night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK tested its own air defenses against a similar attack profile — and the results were sobering.

Despite having some of the world’s most advanced air and missile defense systems, the simulation exposed serious vulnerabilities at home bases, highlighting gaps that adversaries could exploit.

This exercise reinforced the grim reality: modern missile and drone attacks can overwhelm even advanced defenses if bases are not prepared for constant, layered threats.
No nation can afford to assume that domestic facilities are automatically safe anymore.

As Newsweek recently reported, the UK has invested nearly $48 million in a “world-leading synthetic training system” called Gladiator, designed to replicate real-life scenarios during exercises. However, the war-gaming exercise in question did not account for several of Russia’s next-generation weapons, such as the Zircon and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles — threats that have challenged even the most advanced air defense systems.

While Russia has claimed these hypersonic weapons are nearly impossible to intercept, Western analysts remain skeptical, and Ukraine has successfully shot down several using U.S.-made Patriot systems.

Planning for a Navy in a New Era

Here’s the hard part:

How do we plan and build the fleet we need if we don’t have the budget, the shipbuilders, or the industrial base ready to deliver it?

How do we harden our forward positions and our homeland if procurement cycles still move at peacetime speed, while threats evolve at wartime speed?

Efficiency matters.
Cost-effectiveness matters.
Dialogue matters.
High technology matters.

And urgency matters most of all. Whatever we do, we must hustle.

This is Why “Charting the Course” Matters
This is why we launched the Charting the Course education series at Americans for a Stronger Navy.

We’re not just presenting expert opinion — we’re inviting a national conversation about the future of sea power, economic security, and America’s place in the world.

Because the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Because being a maritime nation matters.
Because naval statecraft matters.
Because — despite what some may dismiss as a catchphrase — Peace Through Strength still matters.

We can’t afford to get this wrong.
We can’t afford silence, division, or delay.

A Final Word

Captain Lennon and I served together decades ago aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer, but our commitment to service never really ended.
Today, that service continues — through conversations like these, through sharing insights, and through rallying Americans to remember that sea power has always been at the heart of our security, prosperity, and peace.

We invite you to join us.

Charting the Course is open to all, free of charge, and designed to spark the kind of dialogue — and action — that America desperately needs right now.

Let’s move — together.

Sea power is America’s future — and it’s a future worth fighting for. Join the conversation today: Charting the Course

April 23, 2025April 23, 2025

China Watch: A New Era of Maritime and Space Integration

As part of China’s ongoing push to enhance its global military and strategic presence, a significant development has emerged with the deployment of the Liaowang-1, China’s next-generation maritime space tracking vessel. This vessel is a direct response to the increasing integration of space operations with naval activities, marking a major leap in China’s ability to track U.S. military satellites and missile launches on a global scale. It’s not just about satellite monitoring—this ship’s capabilities have far-reaching implications for naval and space-based military operations, reshaping how global surveillance and intelligence will be conducted.

What This Means for the U.S. and Its Allies

The Liaowang-1 enhances China’s ability to track intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, providing crucial data on missile trajectories and satellite orbits. More than just a space-tracking ship, this vessel also plays a key role in China’s growing anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities, providing real-time telemetry from space and missile launches. For the U.S. Navy and its allies, this development presents new challenges, as China can now monitor naval movements, space launches, and satellite trajectories over vast distances.

Moreover, this new vessel underscores China’s strategic ambition to exert greater control over both the high seas and space. With Liaowang-1 operating from international waters, China is signaling its intent to be a dominant player not only in maritime power but also in space warfare—a domain that is becoming increasingly integral to national defense.

Why Americans Should Care

The U.S. Navy is at the forefront of global naval operations, ensuring the safety and security of international trade routes, conducting deterrence operations, and supporting allies around the world. China’s advancements in space and missile tracking, as exemplified by Liaowang-1, directly challenge the U.S. Navy’s ability to operate freely and securely. By enhancing its space surveillance capabilities, China is positioning itself to challenge U.S. technological and strategic dominance.

In an era where naval power and space capabilities are increasingly intertwined, the United States must be proactive in adapting its strategies and technologies to ensure continued maritime supremacy. The U.S. Navy’s ability to secure its operations, maintain intelligence superiority, and protect vital infrastructure relies on staying ahead in the race for space-based military assets.

Implications for the Navy and National Security

The deployment of Liaowang-1 highlights a critical shift in how modern naval and space operations are conducted. The U.S. Navy will need to strengthen its own space-based capabilities to ensure that it remains a step ahead in this high-stakes geopolitical game. The Navy’s strategic advantage depends on continued investment in satellite defense, advanced tracking systems, and the integration of space operations into traditional naval doctrines.

In response to these threats, the U.S. must prioritize modernizing its naval fleets, enhancing its cyber and space defense infrastructures, and forging stronger alliances with global partners. The challenge posed by China’s expanding surveillance and space capabilities is not just a military issue; it is a critical component of national security, requiring a unified, cross-domain defense strategy.

Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake

As we delve deeper into the Charting the Course educational series, the growing influence of China in both maritime and space domains will continue to be a focal point. It’s crucial for Americans to understand how these developments impact national security and the U.S. Navy’s readiness. Strengthening our naval forces and space defense capabilities isn’t just an option—it’s an imperative to safeguard our interests and uphold global stability in an increasingly competitive and unpredictable world.

The world is watching as China asserts its space and naval dominance. The question is: will the U.S. be ready?

April 22, 2025April 23, 2025

Singapore Sounds the Alarm on Trade Turmoil: Why Americans Should Pay Attention

Introduction
Singapore’s new Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, delivered a powerful and sobering address in response to the U.S. administration’s sweeping tariffs. His message? The global economic order is unraveling — and with it, the maritime stability that underpins global commerce. For Americans who care about a stronger U.S. Navy, this should be a wake-up call.

A Fracturing World Order
Prime Minister Wong described today’s world as “uncertain, unsettled, and increasingly unstable.” He warned that we are leaving behind decades of rules-based globalization and entering an era of protectionism and arbitrary decision-making — a world where trade flows not by efficiency but by political alignment.

Singapore Is No Stranger to the U.S.
The Prime Minister expressed deep disappointment in the U.S. decision to impose blanket tariffs — including on Singapore, a trusted trading partner that actually runs a trade deficit with the U.S. “These are not actions one does to a friend,” Wong said, highlighting that Singapore maintains a free trade agreement with the U.S. and poses no economic threat.

Why Americans Should Care
Singapore isn’t just another country voicing concern. It’s one of our most reliable naval partners in Southeast Asia. The U.S. Navy regularly docks, refuels, and rotates through Singapore’s ports.

As Derek Grossman, Senior Defense Analyst at RAND, points out: “Singapore, as a de facto security ally short of formal treaty status, quietly continues to provide the United States with access to the Changi Naval Base on the strategically critical Strait of Malacca that connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans.”

Singapore also participates in joint exercises and supports regional security initiatives—even while choosing to remain outside formal groupings like the Quad and AUKUS. If economic policy strains these ties, the Navy’s logistical reach and diplomatic influence could suffer. In a time of growing maritime tension in the South China Sea, that’s a risk we cannot afford.

Implications for the U.S. Navy
The speech underscores a vital truth: economic policy and naval strategy are inseparable. As trade routes fracture and economic alliances shift, the Navy must step up as a stabilizing force. That means more than deterrence — it means diplomacy, presence, and partnership-building. Without trust, access, and cooperation, even the strongest fleet can be left stranded.

A Voice from the Pacific
Wong’s speech could have come from a naval strategist. He warned that once tariffs go up, they rarely come down. He invoked the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Act — a move that deepened the Great Depression and contributed to global instability. Today, similar actions threaten to tip not just the U.S., but the world, into economic and geopolitical turmoil.

What America Needs to Know
The U.S. Navy doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It patrols, protects, and partners — all of which require strong relationships abroad. As allies like Singapore feel the heat of economic nationalism, America must find a way to compete with China without burning bridges. That means balancing economic interests with global leadership.

Closing Thought
Prime Minister Wong closed with a rallying cry for unity and resilience. Americans for a Stronger Navy echoes that call — because we believe the U.S. Navy must be ready not just for war, but for peacekeeping, partnership, and protecting the sea lanes that keep our economy — and our allies — afloat.

A Note on Our Perspective
At Americans for a Stronger Navy, our mission is nonpartisan. We do not take sides in political debates—we advocate for policies that strengthen the U.S. Navy, preserve vital alliances, and ensure maritime stability. This post is not a critique of any administration, but a call to recognize the strategic consequences of economic decisions on national security.

For more insights like this, sign up for our free educational series at StrongerNavy.org.

April 13, 2025April 13, 2025

Open Letter: Give the Navy the Tools—And Stop Leaving Us to Pick Up the Pieces

By Bill Cullifer
Founder, Americans for a Stronger Navy
Former U.S. Navy Destroyer Sailor (1970s)

There’s been a lively debate online between economic giants Larry Summers and David Sacks about tariffs, trade policy, and the consequences of decades of globalization. But while they spar over markets and presidential strategies, a bigger question goes largely unspoken:

Who picks up the pieces when economic policy becomes a national vulnerability?

As someone who served in the U.S. Navy in the 1970s and now leads Americans for a Stronger Navy, I’ve watched closely as the Navy quietly shoulders the consequences of decisions made far from the sea. While economists argue over the stock market’s reaction to tariffs, the Navy secures global trade routes, deters adversaries, and absorbs the burden of an offshored industrial base.

But the Navy isn’t alone. Entire sectors of American life—logistics, agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, finance, and technology—depend on the smooth flow of global trade. From major ports and retailers to family farms and Fortune 500 companies, virtually every modern American business benefits from the stability the Navy helps provide.

The American economy is global because the U.S. Navy keeps it that way.

Yet in the recent debate, while Summers described trillions lost in market volatility and economic fallout, no one mentioned the ripple effects on military readiness, deterrence, or strategic capability. That absence reflects a dangerous blind spot.

When Wall Street stumbles, the Navy sails.
When diplomacy falters or trade routes are threatened, the Navy deploys.
But today it’s doing so with fewer ships, aging platforms, and underinvested shipyards—while our adversaries build, modernize, and maneuver.

This isn’t just a Navy issue. It’s a business issue. A national issue.

If your industry touches global trade—if you depend on international logistics, rare earth minerals, undersea cables, satellite access, shipping lanes, or simply consumer confidence—then you depend on a ready and capable Navy.

This is a message to American industry: You benefit. You must engage. You must contribute.

We need your voice—and your leadership—in support of:

Rebuilding our shipbuilding and repair base
Investing in drones, AI, and technologies that give our fleet an edge
Modernizing infrastructure and dry docks that sustain readiness
Funding advocacy and education to spark public awareness

The economic world order your industry thrives in exists because American sea power has kept the global commons safe for decades. That foundation is eroding—and silence is no longer an option.

At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we’re connecting the dots between civic awareness, economic strategy, and maritime strength. We’ve launched a 24-part educational initiative to help Americans understand what’s at stake and how to act.

Explore the series: Charting the Course – For Country. For Unity. For a Stronger Navy.

Whether you’re a CEO, policymaker, investor, teacher, or neighbor—this affects you. Now is the time to link economic resilience with strategic defense. To give the Navy the tools—not just praise—before the next storm arrives.

This is your moment to lead. Not from the sidelines—but from the front.

Use your platform. Leverage your influence. Show the next generation that prosperity is earned—and defended.

Because a secure economy doesn’t start with policy.
It starts with power. And power starts at sea.

Learn more at StrongerNavy.org and join the movement to educate, equip, and engage.

A stronger Navy requires a stronger America behind it. Let’s get to work.

April 11, 2025April 11, 2025

Taiwan Charges Chinese Captain Over Undersea Cable Sabotage: A Wake-Up Call for Global Maritime Security

Introduction

For the first time in history, Taiwan has charged a Chinese ship captain with intentionally damaging undersea communication cables, signaling an alarming escalation in maritime tensions across the Taiwan Strait. The Hong Tai 58, registered in Togo but manned by a Chinese crew, was detained in February 2025 after allegedly anchoring over a key undersea cable near southern Taiwan.

The Incident

According to Taiwanese prosecutors, the captain—identified only by his surname Wang—damaged a vital communication cable while operating near the island’s southwestern coast. Despite claiming innocence, Wang reportedly refused to identify the vessel’s owner and displayed “a bad attitude,” according to prosecutors. Seven other Chinese nationals were detained but not charged and will be repatriated to China.

This is the first prosecution of its kind in Taiwan’s history, setting a precedent amid increasing concerns over gray zone warfare tactics used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Why Americans Should Care

Submarine cables carry 95% of global internet traffic. Sabotaging these links disrupts everything from communications and commerce to national security systems.
Taiwan is a strategic democratic partner and a flashpoint in U.S.–China tensions. Attacks on Taiwan’s infrastructure test the international community’s resolve.
The incident mirrors Russian sabotage tactics in the Baltic Sea—raising concerns that China may adopt similar covert disruption strategies.
This signals the increasing militarization of civilian maritime assets, blurring the line between merchant shipping and state-directed activities.

Implications for the U.S. Navy

This event reinforces the need for enhanced undersea surveillance, cooperation with Pacific allies, and investment in resilient infrastructure.
It highlights vulnerabilities in gray zone warfare, where actions fall below the threshold of military conflict but still pose national security risks.
The Navy’s role in protecting undersea infrastructure may need to evolve to include closer coordination with civilian entities and new mission sets.

Implications for Our Allies

Allied nations must reassess how they monitor and secure commercial vessels operating near sensitive areas.
There’s an urgent need for multinational maritime domain awareness and coordinated responses to cable disruptions.
Taiwan’s move to press charges sets a precedent others can follow, applying legal pressure alongside naval deterrence.

Conclusion

This case is a shot across the bow in the information age. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, Americans must pay closer attention to the vulnerabilities beneath the waves. A resilient Navy—and public awareness—will be essential to deter further acts of sabotage.

April 11, 2025April 11, 2025

Taiwan, Trade, and Sea Power: The Economic Catastrophe We Can’t Ignore

210728-N-FO714-1033 TAIWAN STRAIT (July 28, 2021) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) transits the Taiwan Strait while conducting routine underway operations. Benfold is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Deanna C. Gonzales)

Introduction

In a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Tom Cotton posed a sobering question to Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command: What would happen to the global economy if China attacked or invaded Taiwan?

The answer, echoed by both military and civilian experts, is nothing short of catastrophic.

Investor Ken Griffin warned that a rupture over Taiwan could send the world into “great depression circumstances.” Ian Easton of the Naval War College has long warned of China’s ability to disrupt global trade and exploit vulnerabilities in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Navy and our allies cannot afford to treat these concerns as hypothetical.

Why Taiwan Matters to the Global Economy

Taiwan is not only a leading global manufacturer of semiconductors—it is also a key node in international shipping. Roughly one-third of the world’s trade passes through the South China Sea. Any disruption caused by Chinese military action—especially a blockade or invasion of Taiwan—would choke critical sea lanes and sever the supply chains that power everything from cars to smartphones to critical defense systems.

What Ken Griffin Got Right

In January 2024, Griffin put it bluntly:

“If there were a rupture around Taiwan, it would be catastrophic to both the Chinese and to the American economy.”

Griffin wasn’t talking about market jitters—he was warning about supply chain collapse, capital flight, manufacturing shutdowns, and global financial panic. These effects wouldn’t just hit Wall Street—they would impact farmers, truckers, teachers, and service members alike.

Sea Power Is Economic Poweruh

This is why Americans for a Stronger Navy continues to sound the alarm. The U.S. Navy isn’t just a military force—it’s a shield for global commerce. Sea power ensures stability in the Indo-Pacific and protects the economic lifelines that Americans depend on.

Today’s tools of deterrence extend beyond warships. Ships, drones, AI—they all play a critical role in keeping trade flowing and conflict at bay. Without continued investment in these technologies and the people who operate them, our economy and our alliances remain vulnerable.

Blockade drills and military posturing by China are not symbolic—they are preparation. And we must respond with strategic clarity, industrial readiness, and unwavering public support for naval strength.

Conclusion: Americans Deserve to Know

This isn’t just a military issue—it’s an economic one. The American people deserve to understand what’s at stake, and what it means to be unprepared.

If we fail to invest in our fleet, fortify our alliances, and educate the public, we risk more than just ships—we risk our prosperity.

April 9, 2025April 17, 2025

Trump Signs Executive Order to Revitalize U.S. Shipbuilding

A Turning Point for America’s Maritime Strength

In a bold move aimed at restoring America’s maritime edge, President Donald Trump signed an executive order today (April 9, 2025) designed to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry and reduce China’s growing control over the global shipping supply chain. The order calls for sweeping changes across trade, industry investment, and national security infrastructure—setting the stage for long-term renewal of America’s commercial and naval shipping capabilities.

What the Executive Order Includes

The new executive order establishes:

Maritime Security Trust Fund
A dedicated fund to provide stable, long-term investment in shipbuilding, shipyards, dry docks, and repair facilities. Potential funding sources include tariffs, fines, port fees, and other federal revenue streams.

Port Fees on Chinese-Linked Ships
Ships flagged by China or built in Chinese shipyards may soon face significant docking fees at U.S. ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is expected to finalize this remedy by mid-April. Allies will also be encouraged to implement similar restrictions.

Tariffs on Chinese-Made Cargo Equipment
The order directs the USTR to consider imposing tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling gear manufactured or assembled in China—or made with Chinese-controlled components anywhere in the world.

Enforcement of Harbor Maintenance Fees
To prevent workarounds, Homeland Security will crack down on companies trying to avoid U.S. fees by routing shipments through Mexico and Canada before transporting them across land borders.

Incentives for U.S. Shipyard Investment
The executive order includes provisions for incentivizing private sector investment in new or revitalized U.S. shipyards, commercial ship components, and critical maritime infrastructure.

Why Americans Should Care

The United States currently produces less than 1% of the world’s commercial ships—while China builds about 50%. In 1999, China’s share was just 5%. This trend has massive implications not just for economic competitiveness, but for national security and maritime logistics.

As President Trump put it:
“We used to build a ship a day, and now we don’t build a ship a year, practically. We have the capacity to do it.”

This executive order is more than policy—it’s a call to action.

Implications for the Navy

While the executive order does not explicitly mention the U.S. Navy, its impact on naval readiness and strategic capability is unmistakable. Revitalizing America’s commercial shipbuilding infrastructure strengthens the industrial base the Navy relies on for new construction, maintenance, and repairs. Investments in dry docks, skilled labor, and cargo handling capabilities bolster our ability to support fleet operations—especially in times of crisis.

Moreover, reducing reliance on Chinese-built shipping equipment and infrastructure directly supports U.S. naval strategy. It limits vulnerabilities in ports and logistics chains, while reinforcing America’s control over critical maritime assets. A stronger shipbuilding sector means a stronger Navy, even if it’s not named in the order.

Implications for Our Allies

The executive order sends a message to America’s allies: We are serious about maritime strength and expect partners to do the same. With Chinese-built vessels operating across global supply chains, coordinated action could limit strategic vulnerabilities and encourage diversified, allied-aligned shipping infrastructure.

A Statement from Americans for a Stronger Navy

“This executive order is a long-overdue step toward restoring our nation’s ability to build and maintain the ships we depend on for both commerce and defense. The Navy does not operate in a vacuum—it needs a healthy, resilient industrial base. America must lead again on the seas, not just militarily, but commercially. This is how we secure freedom of navigation, economic stability, and peace through strength.”
— Bill Cullifer, founder, Americans for a Stronger Navy

Your Voice Matters

This is our moment. Let’s celebrate the executive order—but keep pushing until America leads on the seas again. Congress must act, industry must respond, and Americans must stay engaged.

April 9, 2025April 9, 2025

Shipbuilding, Repair, and Shore Support: Why SIOP Matters More Than Ever

Introduction

At this year’s Sea-Air-Space Expo, a powerful message came through loud and clear: shipbuilding and repair aren’t just logistics or budgeting issues—they are strategic priorities. With the U.S. Navy facing growing demands across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, the ability to maintain and sustain our fleet has never been more important. One of the most important announcements at #SAS2025 came from NAVFAC leadership, who shared critical updates on the Navy’s long-term infrastructure plan: the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP).

What Is SIOP? The Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program is the Navy’s comprehensive, decades-long effort to modernize its four public shipyards: Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, Portsmouth, and Puget Sound. These yards are essential to maintaining our nuclear-powered fleet, and many of their facilities date back a century or more. SIOP aims to upgrade dry docks, replace aging infrastructure, optimize layout and workflow, and improve productivity and quality of service for 37,000 shipyard workers.

Why This Matters Fleet readiness is impossible without reliable infrastructure. Every day a ship sits idle in maintenance delays is a day it can’t defend our interests. As Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey of NAVFAC stated at #SAS2025, shore infrastructure is the foundation of American maritime power. And without modern, capable shipyards, our ability to project sea power and maintain naval dominance is at risk.

Smart Construction, Smarter Strategy SIOP isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about doing things better. NAVFAC leaders highlighted new strategies like early contractor involvement, modular/offsite construction, and industrialized building techniques—all aimed at delivering faster results at lower cost. For example, the dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard will require twice the concrete used to build the Pentagon. That’s a massive, multiyear undertaking—and it shows the scale and urgency of the mission.

A Civilian-Military Partnership Shipyard revitalization is more than a military investment. It represents an opportunity for public-private collaboration, workforce development, and industrial revitalization. It’s a call to rebuild America’s maritime edge with the help of skilled labor, advanced engineering, and modern project delivery.

Conclusion: Time to Stay Focused At Americans for a Stronger Navy, we believe this is the kind of long-term, bipartisan initiative that can reset the trajectory of our Navy and our civilian maritime capability. Shipbuilding is strategy. Repair is readiness. And shore support is the glue that holds it all together.

Let’s make sure SIOP gets the support, oversight, and public awareness it deserves.