Protection of freedom of navigation rights critical to mobility U.S. navy relies on to responding to crises

Closely connected with this first factor is the use of naval forces to protect our core interests. Achieving a stable and predictable regime for the world's oceans, with each nation respecting universally agreed rules and procedures, is vital for the effective use of expeditionary forces as instruments of national policy. Without international respect for the freedoms of navigation and overflight set forth in the Convention, the mobility of our military forces could be jeopardized. The response time for U.S. and allied or coalition forces based away from potential areas of conflict could increase. Forces could arrive on the scene too late to make a difference, affecting our ability to influence the course of events consistent with our interests and treaty obligations. For example, if prevented from transiting through the Indonesian Archipelago and Malaccan Straits, a carrier battle group transiting from Yokosuka, Japan, to Bahrain would have to reroute around Australia. Assuming a steady 15-knot pace, a 6-ship, conventionally powered battle group would require an additional 15 days and over 94,000 gallons of fuel to transit the additional 5800 nautical miles. The additional fuel cost alone would amount to $3 million."