Speed uses the movement of USS Nimitz and her escorts from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Sea to demonstrate sea power's flexibility. The same deployment created a planning problem because American ships assigned to a crisis elsewhere were no longer available in the NATO area. Alliance ministers therefore had to strengthen readiness and examine how European members could cover forces diverted toward Southwest Asia. Britain offered its experience of worldwide operations while reaffirming that the East Atlantic and the Soviet Northern Fleet remained its primary naval responsibility. Convoy protection remains conspicuously unanswered amid the discussion of barriers and standing forces.
Chapter · 1:43:25-1:47:20
How Southwest Asia strained NATO naval plans
The redeployment of USS Nimitz to the Arabian Sea illustrates how an out-of-area crisis could remove American forces expected to reinforce NATO Europe.