That's a reasonable target capability but for it to be efficient and resilient enough to be effective i'd think it has to be integrated and controlled by a single command structure created and trained for the purpose rather than just created ad hoc for each situation with the assets at hand.

Already have it. USN, USMC, MSC.

http://www.msc.navy.mil/

All comes under USN.

The US? To help people without any political reasons such as close proximity as is in the case of Haiti or profit motives such as oil? Don't be ridiculous.

Happens all the time.

LOL...I think w/OTH, the U.S. can do no right. If we do something, we aren't doing enough. If we don't do anything, we won't hear the end of it. We can't win!!! :damn:

(Yeah, I know the above is a strawman, but not much of one, I'm guessing)

Name cases where the US has actually helped nations in peril where the US had either no immediate political or profit motives involved.

Don't feel too bad. USA doesn't top his list.
Here is the OTH Top Four:
1: Danmark
2: Norway
3: England
4: USA

That's my point. The USNs mission is to fight wars, not provide disaster relief so using regular combat units is not going to be very efficient.

I'm thinking a specialized command with dedicated assets is in order if we really want to maximize our effectiveness.

Well, as an American, I WILL notice when he rips on the U.S.

Of course, as someone of primarily Norwegian descent w/some Danish and a dash of English, that complicates things..

Do you look for monsters under your bed still? Where is the massive expensive Finnish aid during any disaster? Sometimes the US puts its wealth and blood on the line so little countries like Finland can still exist. Sure it's not always true, and sure sometimes it's mutually beneficial, but would you prefer to be part of Germany or the USSR now?

Too bad we don't still have the 'peacetime' hospital ship Hope around. After a long career she was scrapped in 1975.

http://carlosandlucreciareyes.com/wp...11/ss2hope.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_HOPE_(USA)

Good idé but, can you afford it?

So a FEMA for overseas?

Good stock!

She certainly is (was) a pretty ship.