10/31/2017
https://www.congress.gov...
"The inherent flexibility of amphibious ships and the Navy-Marine Corps team is in high demand."
"the Navy has long held the belief that strategic dispersal of capital ships--particularly the aircraft carrier--is important."
"For the past 16 years, the Marine Corps has focused on counter-insurgency operations, largely in landlocked locations."
"Our Major Range and Test Facility Bases are unable to maintain pace technologically with our advanced fifth and sixth generation weapons delivery systems."