THE NAVY'S BIRTHDAY: CELEBRATING 249 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH PRIDE
A country will need to have various branches of security in order to make its people and territory safe. It will need the services of the Air Force, Army, and Navy. One of the essential branches of defense just celebrated its founding anniversary on October 13th, with its various roles, such as defending the country at sea, maintaining security, providing seaborne support to the U.S. military, delivering combat-ready naval forces, responding to international crises, and so on. During the Navy's birthday, let us take this opportunity to know more and appreciate what they do for the country.
On Sunday, the U.S. Navy turned 249 years old, sharing the same spot with the Army. This was a remarkable day because it became the U.S. Navy's birthday, as the Continental Congress decided to commission two ships with 80 Sailors each to create a naval force for the country. At the end of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Navy grew with around 50 ships, and in 1789, the Constitution provided a verdict to the Navy's future by bestowing power to Congress to provide and maintain a Navy.
Latest Technology Used by the Navy
The U.S. Navy birthday also allows us to have a sneak peek at some of the latest technology that they are using in order to protect the nation. Since its founding, the technology used by the organization evolved since it needed to catch up with the demand to counter any attacks. Some of the latest technologies they are using include underwater acoustic and optical communication systems, digital modular radios, cloud-enabled communication systems, asynchronous transfer modes, software-defined radios, and more.
After two and a half centuries, the Navy's technology keeps evolving, and the benefits they offer are getting better. That is why getting recruits is consistent. Now, there are around 330,000 active-duty Sailors, with over 55,000 officers, 57,000 reservists, and 219,000 civilians, on top of hundreds of ships.
When the Second World War ended, the status of the US Naval forces proved that they were the world's most powerful force. Even though over the last decades, it has been surpassed by China in terms of ship numbers, the U.S. Navy remains the largest in the world in terms of tonnage. This is due to its unrivaled count of aircraft carriers.
How Many Ships Does the Navy Have?
In order to do their job effectively, they are continuously upgrading and adopting better equipment. Currently, the U.S. Navy has a total of 470 ships, consisting of both the reserve fleet and those who are in active service. Out of these numbers, the Navy is considering around 50 ships to line up for retirement by 2028, while there are roughly 90 new ships that are under construction, in the ordering stage, or planning phase.
Their current ships include those who have commissioned warships, those ships that are in the Military Sealift Command, the Ready Reserve Force, and the support component; on the other hand, the non-commissioned are still part of the compelling force of the U.S. Navy. Those who are in the planning stage are future ships or are under construction and near-final sea trials.
Aside from the huge war and carrier ships they have, the U.S. Navy also has around 4,012 operational aircraft, that is, as of July 18, 2023. This number even beats the United States Air Force since they have diverse roles, especially in terms of combat, which includes maritime patrol, airborne early warning command and control, transportation, surveillance, and electronic warfare.
Aside from the huge war and carrier ships they have, the U.S. Navy also has around 4,012 operational aircraft, that is, as of July 18, 2023. This number even beats the United States Air Force since they have diverse roles, especially in terms of combat, which includes maritime patrol, airborne early warning command and control, transportation, surveillance, and electronic warfare.
How Does the U.S. Navy Use Social Media?
During the Navy's birthday, don't forget to visit or follow them on other social media pages if you want to keep up with various events and announcements they might have. Social media is a new avenue for them to broadcast their initiatives or upcoming activities. In the digital age, they need to adapt to modernization. You can follow them on every social platform, such as @NavyNews on Twitter, @usnavyweb on YouTube, and their website, www.navy.mil.
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