By 1400 hours all ships and Submarines of the 1st Fleet arrived in Norfolk Naval base, Virginia. Admiral Rawson sought clarification of his orders while his Deputy Commander oversaw the refueling of the fleet. The fleet would add Air Wings while at sea. No carrier operations were permitted while in port.
"I Need to clarify whether or not, DOD wants me to take these Amphibious Assault Ships and Littoral Combat Ships with me to the west coast." Admiral Rawson spoke to Vice Admiral Dougherty.
"Aye sir," The Deputy Commander confirmed. "If they want you to invade someplace, I can understand bringing the LSDs and LCSs. If your mission will be one of deterrence, there is no reason to bring the Amphibs, especially without a complement of Marines. There is sufficient room for two Divisions of Marines there."
"How goes the refit for the Battle wagons and Camden?" The Commander asked his deputy.
"I have been informed by Partners, that the Railguns will be in place within the month."
"Tell me which systems are being removed to make room for the Railguns?"
"We want to retain the firepower of the 16" turrets for use in Naval Gunfire supporting a Marine Amphibious assault. The Railguns are small enough to be mounted on the gun decks both port and starboard. We will reduce the ship's firepower by eliminating the twenty 5-inch guns on each side [(127 mm) / 38 cal. Mark 12 guns]. Instead of the twenty five inchers, there will be eight 80 Mega Joule Rail Guns. We had to reduce the number of Rail guns as the barrels are much longer than the space previously occupied by the five inch turrets. Two rail guns on each side are on the main deck and two rail guns on each side are on the raised gun deck. When not in combat, the railguns' barrels are stowed in the trailing position and covered. The notion here was that a Battleship broadsides, would now consist of nine sixteen inch conventional munitions and four 80 Mega Joule Hyper velocity projectiles."
"Sounds great, Steve," Admiral Rawson slapped his deputy on the back. "I can't wait to see one in action."