By JOSHUA STEWART and SAM FELLMAN
The Navy is delaying the deployment of the Harry S. Truman carrier strike group because of looming budget reductions, a move that cuts the number of aircraft carriers in 5th Fleet from two to one, a defense official has confirmed.
Delaying the cruise, which was scheduled to start Friday, will still give the service the ability to quickly deploy a carrier strike group with little notice, should events arise, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter. But the move will also save money in the face of budget cuts.
If Congress were to pass another continuing resolution and keep spending at 2012 levels, it would mean $6.3 billion in cuts and delayed projects. Sequestration — more automatic spending cuts triggered in March unless Congress moves to stop it — would mean an additional $4 billion in Navy cuts.
The Truman CSG completed Composite Unit Training Exercise on Feb. 3, a final step before starting a deployment.
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