Force Structure: Navy Is Complying With Battleship Readiness Requirements

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Navy's compliance with the reporting requirements stated in section 1011 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, focusing on whether the Navy: (1) lists and maintains at least two Iowa class battleships on the Naval Vessel Register that are in good material condition and capable of providing adequate fire support for an amphibious assault; (2) retains the existing logistical support necessary to keep at least two Iowa class battleships in active service, including technical manuals, repair and replacement parts, and ordnance; and (3) keeps the two battleships on the register until the Secretary of the Navy certifies that the Navy has within the fleet an operational surface fire support capability that equals or exceeds the fire support capability that the Iowa class battleships would be able to provide for the Marine Corps amphibious assaults and operations ashore.