Suchergebnisse

Abroad spectrum of nontraditional and asymmetric threats challenges U.S. maritime homeland security. The smuggling of drugs, arms, and people; vesselborne improvised explosive devices, like that used by terrorists against the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole in October 2002; proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-explosive weapons of mass destruc- tion and disruption; piracy and organized crime; overexploitation of marine re- sources and the destruction of marine habitats; environmental attacks and trade disruption; political and religious extremism; mass migration flows; global health threats (e.g., the spread of infectious diseases like SARS and avian flu)—all these and more pose far-reaching dangers for American security interests at home and abroad.

Recently the Navy has used the build and charter method to provide nine new bulk petroleum carriers. The ships, built with private capital, will be chartered to the Military Sealift Command. Payment under the charter will be with Operations and Maintenance funds, which does not require specific congressional approval.