Royal Australian Navy – The amphibious ship HMAS Kanimbla sails for the Gulf.

• Associated Press: Australian Troops Head to Middle East

US Navy – The USS Kitty Hawk is to serve as a deterrent to North Korea.

• Dow Jones: US Carrier Kitty Hawk Leaves To Monitor N Korea – Kyodo

US Navy – Today’s Navy, and Tomorrow’s: Solid Accomplishments, Daunting Challenges and a Host of Institutional Obstacles.

• Sea Power: A Vision of Continuing Excellence

Background – Iraq – Thomas Friedman explains why liberals under-appreciate the value of removing Saddam Hussein.

• New York Times: Thinking About Iraq (I)