[rockinqsranch]

The three vessels to the left in the photograph appear to be Ro Ro conversions of the former Sealand container vessels known as SL-7's. One of those vessels, I believe the McLean holds the ocean crossing record to Japan to this day (something along the lines of four days, 18 hours, about that). These ships are 946 ft, in length, and can travel at 38 mph. Burned too much fuel, and Sealand negotiated for the government to buy the ships for the ready reserve force.

[Steely Tom]

Just the normal ebb and flow of the training cycle, nothing to be concerned about I’m sure.

[BeauBo]

No reports of a Military mobilization to load those ships.

It could be a general purpose readiness exercise.

It could be preparation for a big Foreign Assistance Program (Venezuela?).

It could be a longer term preparation for a planned or potential Military deployment.

[Fai Mao]

My British SOn-in-LAw told me the Royal Navy looked the plans for those fast container ship as a possible conversion into an aircraft carrier.

They built the QE class ships instead

[Sequoyah101]

Pretty impressive. It has taken me longer to recommission my swather, rake and baler from storage than it will take them to recommission these ships.

[Mariner]

Most of these ships are pre-loaded with equipment and supplies.

5 days to call up the crew, 12-15 days to transit somewhere. they’re pretty fast ships.

Then fly in the troops

[fatman6502002]

I think something big is going to go down relatively soon. That’s the only reason any of these ships would have to be activated; if the Pentagon is anticipating the need for extra transport capacity in a hurry.

[IronJack]

Does that mean the Iowa is going to plow some water again?

Just kidding. But it would be magnificent to see the old gal put to sea once more ...

[Mariner]

“We understand that the this most recent activation – exercise or not – is the largest since the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003.”

[DannyTN]

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

An adversary would need much sea lift capability too invade a country with connections to the ocean.

5.56mm

[Robert357]

You have to wonder what Iran, Russia and China will think about this. Of course it probably depends on what is loaded onto them and what direction the ships take.

I sincerely hope they load a bunch of M1 Abrams tanks, surface to air missiles, armored vehicles, etc. and then head toward the Middle East (both across the Pacific and the Atlantic). That would spice things up a bit.

[KC_Lion]

Ping.

It was the logistical train that won the Pacific War.

Make (the) Navy Great Again!

[Jet Jaguar]

Ping

[SuperLuminal]

One thing we don't need to do is generate all sorts of wild suppositions and other hawkish plans...

To me the exercise is merely the preparation for bringing ALL our troops home from the middle east and Germany as part of a planned glassification project... We just need to get our troops to safety... That's all... NBD...

[biggerten]

In other news, my snow blower carb got cleaned today and the SS Blizzard is ready for duty.