Horseshit. The last time we actually did MCM ops, AMCM accounted for 10% of all mines found. MCM and EOD were responsible for finding and clearing the vast majority of mines. (The General's War has specific numbers in its appendix.) Losing AMCM means that... well, that we lose 10% of MCM capability.
So your logic is that since it contributed only 10% to the mission, then it's a capability we can afford to lose. Yet there is nothing in the inventory of any service that can conduct the mission; a mission that is the responsibility of the Navy.
However, I content that the VOD capability is replaceable with current capabilities in the Strike Group. There are 8 MH-60S in the Airwing. These aircraft have a much higher material readiness rate than the 53, therefore it is easy to replace the 1 H-53 hit to the carrier with 2-3 H-60S hits in one day. It will take longer, but the loss of capability can be overcome by dedicating more assets to the mission.
If the mission requires oversized cargo, then the C-2 will have to complete the mission. If the C-2 can't do it for whatever reason and the lift is that high of a priority, then the GCC can direct another service to fly a heavy lift helo (USMC H-53 or USA H-47) to the Carrier to deliver the part(s).
There was an article in International Security by Caitlin Talmadge (
http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/isec.2008.33.1.82) where using open source intel she concludes that Iran could close the SoH for over a month with Mines and ASCM. That means nothing gets in or out until those threats are neutralized. I think that 10% will be pretty important when it could mean the difference of 3-5 days of the SoH being closed.
Finally, HM-14 is expeditionary in nature and can be air-transported in short order to anywhere in the world. The 14 Avenger Class MCM ships can only make 14 knots so they'll need a long time to get somewhere.
I'm not saying the VOD mission is not needed, my argument is that shortfalls for USN H-53 logistics can be overcome by using other aircraft. If you lose the AMCM capability of the H-53 (assuming the 60S systems are not on-line) then there is nothing in the inventory to complete that mission.
Mines are a cheap means to conduct sea denial operations. By using WWII technology, a belligerant nation can effectively shut down access to strategic choke points or waterways for a significant period of time. The US Navy has neglected this warfare area in much the same way as ASW by having missions with higher probability of occurrence or operational requirements take precedence for $$$.
We can't afford to lose what little capability we have in the event Iran decides to close the SoH with an estimated 2000+ mines that can be dumped off the back of a fishing boat.
10% of 2000+ = 200 mines; that IMO is a significant threat that needs to be addressed.
