Jackson Free Press

*Web exclusive*

Not long before the terrorist attacks of September 11, and well before Hurricane Katrina, some in the national media criticized me for helping fund the construction of a new helicopter carrier for the U.S. Marine Corps—one that would be built in Pascagoula by workers at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. I proudly helped christen that ship on August 19 because America needs this equipment now more than ever.

LHD-8, as its name suggests, is the eighth and final of a series of amphibious ships built specifically to land Marines wherever they're needed – whether it be fighting a war against terrorists or bringing humanitarian relief to victims of natural disasters like hurricanes.

These ships are like flat-decked aircraft carriers, but they're a bit smaller and designed to quickly transport Marine personnel, equipment and aircraft anywhere in the world, at a moment's notice. That's what Marines do. And it doesn't take a general or a rear admiral to understand how important this capability is right now as America fights terrorists.

It's a good thing Congress ignored the critics and committed to funding this ship, on the advice of the Marine Corps Commandant and others who were supportive of robust shipbuilding, even in what was then a time of peace. Even before the War on Terror, many military and political leaders in Washington saw that the 21st century battlefield might be an even more unconventional one, requiring more mobility and capability that Marines and their light carriers provide.

Shipbuilding in Mississippi and Louisiana is a 300-year tradition, and today more than half the Navy's surface combat fleet is built along the Gulf Coast. What's more, Gulf Coast shipbuilders will build all the Coast Guard's new state-of-the-art "Deepwater Fleet."

Mississippi's shipyard workers in particular build some of the world's most advanced ships, and our state and the entire nation would do well to better recognize shipbuilding as a core competency, a critical industry of America's industrial skill set and one that must be nurtured to constantly evolve.

For example, LHD-8 is the first amphibious carrier to feature gas-turbine engines, all electric systems, and no steam – not even in the ship's galley. Though a ship may one of a single class, each ship we build is very different from the last, an improvement over its predecessor that helps maintain America's edge at sea and adds to the skills of our shipyard workers who depend on steady work.

History has shown time and again that nations with the ability to build and support their own Navy – to project force whenever and wherever needed – are the nations that endure and prosper. Our fleet gives us the ability to meet challenges abroad, before they reach our shores.

We haven't heard much lately from LHD-8's critics, particularly since America began fighting terrorists around the globe. The fact is, in the current global security environment, America can't afford to keep her shipyards and skilled shipyard workers sitting idle in war, or in peace. We need carriers. We need destroyers. We need new Coast Guard vessels, and we need to consistently replace all of them when they become obsolete. Constant evolution of our weapons is what gives our military men and women an advantage against the world's worst characters and circumstances.

I'm glad we built LHD-8, which will be called the USS Makin Island, honoring one of our Navy and Marine Corps' famous World War II Pacific battles. And I hope that when it comes to the tools of war, America always heeds the advice of those who will build the next ship, tank or plane, over those content to wait until our enemies' technology challenges ours. For the reality is, the better our tools of war, the quicker we find peace. (8/18/06)
Senator Lott welcomes any questions or comments about this column. Write to: U.S. Senator Trent Lott, 487 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 (attn: Press Office)

Previous Comments

ID

141256

Comment

well, I feel sad no one has responsed to Sen. Lott's column. what is wrong with y'all? don't any readers here support our war on terror maybe? do we all just look at salon.com, democracy now, etc . are we just so unfair ? so where is everybody? watching the Colbert Report? (has he ever had Sen. Lott on his program? because I would pay to get my Directtv back again to see that! ) well, really, someone has to respond to this. and it won't be me, because, just because. If I still could vote in Minnesota, this is who I would support. http://www.beckylourey.org/ And oh that reminds me - Erik Fleming. So Mississippi does have a choice. Choices are good, glad to have them. Peace, unconditional. )

Author

sunshine

Date

2006-08-22T17:10:41-06:00

ID

141257

Comment

Well. o.k. I don't disagree with Senator Lott in general, that we need always to look to develop better tools of war. But eventually you choose to fund some things and not fund others, and you do your best. For example, many in the military wanted to scrap the A10 Warthog -- unitl it proved invaluable in the First Gulf war. Similarly, the B-52 has been "over the hill" for something like 40 years now, but it keeps on truckin'. So, yes, we need new stuff, and if the thing the Senator wanted built worked out well, then hurrah. I'm not sure how much brilliant foresight had to do with it, but that's o.k. Sometimes pork pays off, I guess.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-08-22T18:59:48-06:00

ID

141258

Comment

I'm all for bagging the Osprey. It'll never work, it's pure pork, and everyone knows it.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-08-22T21:18:25-06:00

ID

141259

Comment

Maybe so. It would be great if it did work, but there have been many lives lost to that thing already.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-08-22T23:20:06-06:00

ID

141260

Comment

well, this is not the discussion I hoped for! ha. Sen. Lott is doing the turf thing, shipbuilding etc. But to call them 'tools for peace' just makes me you know what. How many ships were even over there to evacuate people from Lebanon? Instead of tools let's have 'ships for peace' and - you know what I'm going to say - BRING THE TROOPS HOME. I am so glad I have a place to say that here . For now. I've said it for years, and sigh, it still has to be said. Sending more marines? More reservists? for what? We need them here. Just in case, ya' know.. In case we have maybe made even more enemies. All those young people and their families. We don't need 'tools' we need peace. And the U.S. is , strangely enough, not big on that. hmmm. Could it be we need to sell all those 'tools' - of war?

Author

sunshine

Date

2006-08-23T15:43:50-06:00

ID

141261

Comment

Selling tools of war is certainly lucrative, unfortunately. And war sucks, no question. But, if and when war is necessary, it is better to have the capability to completely dominate the enemy. That's the best way to try to mitigate the horrors of war, and limit the time that wars take place. Wars between equally meatched opponents are the bloodiest and most destructive. So, in that sense, advanced tools could be called be tools for peace, I guess. Although I do think it's a bit silly of Lott to say it that way.

Author

GLB

Date

2006-08-23T16:21:45-06:00

ID

141262

Comment

yes, it was silly, ha. but these are silly times. Some chinese guy wrote some book, Art of War. Some folks seem to like it. Maybe I'll read it someday. Meanwhile, amreading Reza Aslan, No god but God. About Islam and how it is - well, it's a tough read. But saw the guy on Colbert, so he's ok! seriously, we all need to know more and read more and we just don't take time, andwe are going to hell in the proverbial you know what. I love the posts here, and I sure hope the honorable Sen. Lott reads them. We are thinking caring people, we worry about our military, we worry about a lott . We love our silly country to bits.

Author

sunshine

Date

2006-08-26T19:10:43-06:00

ID

141263

Comment

Art of War is a very good book and can be applied to a lot of things. Its barely 100 pagees. a short read.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-08-26T20:00:37-06:00

ID

141264

Comment

ok then, let's read it! can we start a book club maybe? do you think the Hon. Sen. Lott would join us, at some local coffeehouse, to discuss the Art of War? oh, what am I smoking. a lovely fantasy, isn't it though. it's never too late. I remain an optimist, hence my name.

Author

sunshine

Date

2006-08-26T20:29:08-06:00