TSG’s VADM Lou Crenshaw: Closing the Tomahawk Line is Risky Business

June 8, 2018 – The SPECTRUM Group Navy Team member VADM Lou Crenshaw, USN, Ret. authored an op-ed for American Military News highlighting the risks of eliminating funding to purchase Tomahawk missiles. The Department of Defense budget request for 2019 does not include funding to purchase Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs).

“Fortunately,” writes Crenshaw, “Congress has this issue in its sights. The recent markup of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) added funds for 198 TLAMs in 2019…The actions of the HASC confirm that it recognizes the importance of keeping the TLAM production line open and enhancing military readiness. It is unwilling to take the risk of running low on the nation’s principal weapon in recent conflict.”

TLAMs, which have been used by the U.S. Navy since 1991, are also used by the British Royal Navy. A TLAM, writes Crenshaw, is “survivable, lethal, feared” and, most importantly, is a weapon that “keeps our sailors and airmen far from the battlefield. Its use puts no aircrew at risk and is available whenever and wherever needed.”

Crenshaw warns: TLAMS have “been the weapon of choice for five Commanders-in Chief. It is risky business indeed to bet on an as-yet-to be-determined weapon, while ignoring the reality of an increasingly dangerous world. The sure bet is that we will use TLAM in defense of our nation again and their stocks must be replenished. We had better be ready.”

Read the article in full on American Military News’ site

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