Little surprised by Sec. Gates' question. Or, more accurately, a little taken back for what this portends.
So, why do we have this overmatching level of sea-power? I can answer that for you in three words: "Global Power Projection". We're the only kid on the block still capable of doing that. And why do we require Global Power Projection? Allow me to provide one glaring reason -- the little document which the Joint Chiefs authored (and Sec Gates approved) called The National Military Strategy, which calls for a defense able to project power in order to protect America's interests. Comes from an overarching document called the National Security Strategy, which comes from the desk of the President.
So, the Secretary's questions portends one of two possibilities: 1) the SECDEF decided on a whim to ignore the recommendations of the NMS, or 2) he's reading the prevailing winds, and may be predicting a shift in a National Security Strategy where power projection is no longer as important.
Or, he just could be looking for easy money to pay for the Army and USMC, which are most heavily involved in the current fight, and taking the heaviest toll on equipment and manpower. I just hope someone remembers the hard learned lessons of previous times, where America sometimes came into the next battle prepared for the last one, and had it's rear-end handed to them until they were able to get it's collective act together.
(A good read for those interested:
http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Batt...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273027183&sr=1-1
Heard it used to be required reading at the USMA, and a few other PME courses)
The Pentagon Shuffle. An interesting little dance; you just got to follow the money to know the steps...