US Navy – Aboard the USS Constellation, patroling the no-fly zones over Iraq.

• Virginian Pilot: Danger of ”no-fly” patrols rises
• Washington Post: On Its Last Legs, but Set to Strike First
• Los Angeles Times: U.S. Carrier Welcomes Bush’s Message

Royal Navy – The contract for the UK’s two new aircraft carriers is announced.

• BBC: BAE Systems wins carrier deal
• Daily Telegraph: BAE wins aircraft carriers contract

US Navy – The USS Nimitz battlegroup is ready to deploy.

• San Diego Channel: Officials: USS Nimitz Ready To Be Deployed

US Navy – The USS Theodore Roosevelt battlegroup is likely to be sent to the Gulf.

• Virginian Pilot: Direct deployment for Roosevelt looking more likely

Background – Force Protection – James F. Dunnigan on the difficulty of protecting troops from terrorist attacks.

• StrategyPage: Force Protection Follies

Background – Far East – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 in the Pacific.

• Sea Power: Pacific Overtones and Bellicose Rhetoric