Others have said munitions shortages, and while that would be a consideration in a long war the US could definitely degrade Venezuela using existing active stocks. The real problem is more serious.
The US has 9 active carrier strike groups, Due to maintenance, logistics and rotation issues (as well as keeping a home fleet for each ocean), this means it can have 3 carrier groups ready for active operations at any time.
1 has to be in the Pacific for obvious Geopolitical reasons. 2 are chilling off Israel/ The Black Sea, They in theory could get one from Japan or San Diego, but the only real one available is CVN71, which is undergoing sea trials for the F35 and isn’t staffed or stocked for deployment. They’re fucked unless they want to abandon the gulf (and let Yemen hoist the pirate flag on Israeli shipping.) or Abandon the Mediterranean (and let the Russian Pacific or Baltic fleets reinforce the Black Sea as soon as they can pay off Turkey)
They got nothing unless they have international support either for intervention, or for taking over a role supporting Israel, which is politically untenable.
The real question is if the French (who own the slice next door) lack chill. Bet they’ve been waiting to try out their shiny pocket carrier.
Others have said munitions shortages, and while that would be a consideration in a long war the US could definitely degrade Venezuela using existing active stocks. The real problem is more serious.
The US has 9 active carrier strike groups, Due to maintenance, logistics and rotation issues (as well as keeping a home fleet for each ocean), this means it can have 3 carrier groups ready for active operations at any time.
1 has to be in the Pacific for obvious Geopolitical reasons. 2 are chilling off Israel/ The Black Sea, They in theory could get one from Japan or San Diego, but the only real one available is CVN71, which is undergoing sea trials for the F35 and isn’t staffed or stocked for deployment. They’re fucked unless they want to abandon the gulf (and let Yemen hoist the pirate flag on Israeli shipping.) or Abandon the Mediterranean (and let the Russian Pacific or Baltic fleets reinforce the Black Sea as soon as they can pay off Turkey)
They got nothing unless they have international support either for intervention, or for taking over a role supporting Israel, which is politically untenable.
The real question is if the French (who own the slice next door) lack chill. Bet they’ve been waiting to try out their shiny pocket carrier.