GAO Report Reveals Poor Condition of Navy's Amphibious Fleet

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights that half of the U.S. Navy's amphibious fleet is in 'poor condition,' severely impacting the Marine Corps' operational readiness. Specifically, nine out of ten dock landing ships, five out of seven amphibious assault ships, and two out of thirteen amphibious transport docks are struggling with maintenance issues, some ships being out of service for years. Contributing factors include canceled maintenance, early retirements to save costs, and shortages of spare parts. The Navy is required to maintain at least 31 operational amphibious ships but faces challenges in doing so, relying on aging vessels while awaiting new constructions. Despite recent agreements on operational guidelines between Navy and Marine Corps leaders, the report underscores ongoing disagreements about the required number of amphibious ships for effective missions. As the Marine Corps depends on these vessels for various military and humanitarian operations, the report calls for reevaluation of maintenance strategies to ensure fleet sustainability.