Posted on 07/01/2004 10:31:01 AM PDT by Lokibob
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US plans huge show of force in Pacific Seven aircraft carriers to move within striking distance of China; Taiwan forces slated to join in drill By Ching Cheong HONG KONG - The United States is planning a massive show of force in the Pacific Ocean near China to register a point with Beijing.
In an exercise codenamed Operation Summer Pulse 04, it is expected to arrange for an unprecedented seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs) to rendezvous in waters a safe distance away from the Chinese coastline - but still within striking distance - after mid-July. This will be the first time in US naval history that it sends seven of its 12 CSGs to just one region. According to a Department of Defence statement, Summer Pulse is to test out a new Fleet Response Plan (FRP) aimed at enhancing the American Navy's combat power and readiness in a time of crisis. The FRP calls for the despatching of six 'forward deployed' or 'ready to surge' CSGs to a trouble spot within 30 days, and an additional two within 90 days. Although the statement does not say where the seven CSGs will exercise, the Status of the Navy website said the USS Carl Vinson, Abraham Lincoln, John C Stennis and Kitty Hawk were in the Pacific Ocean as of yesterday. The USS Enterprise and Harry Truman are in the Atlantic Ocean while USS George Washington is in the Persian Gulf. According to a posting on Sina.com, an influential website in China, the signs point to a gathering of all seven CSGs in the Pacific. Sources in Beijing say China's reading is that Summer Pulse is being mounted with it as the target audience, a suspicion reinforced by reports that Taiwanese forces are slated to join in the drill. Clearly, given Beijing's repeated warning that it will use force, as a last resort and whatever the cost, to stop Taiwanese independence, the US feels it needs to send Beijing a message. From past deployment patterns, the US usually despatches one CSG to a trouble spot as a reminder of its presence. It did so several times in the past when tension was high in the Taiwan Strait. It sends two to indicate serious concern, as was the case when China test-fired missiles over the strait in 1996. In a combat situation, it deploys three to four, which was what it did in the Gulf War in the early 1990s and the recent Iraqi war. But never before has it sent in peace time seven CSGs to the same theatre. The implications for China are grave. According to Kanwa Defence News, which specialises in Chinese military matters, Beijing can cope with just one CSG currently. 'But in five to 10 years, it can certainly take on seven,' said Mr Chang Hong-yi, head of Kanwa, in an interview with The Straits Times. 'China's military potential is enormous and in terms of military technology, the gap with the US is closing fast,' he added. However, a Chinese military source who declined to be identified is more sanguine. 'Even now, China can easily take on two CSGs,' he said but conceded that there was no way it could face seven all at the same time. This means that if China has to wage war over Taiwan, it has to be able to land and seize control of the island within the first 30 days. Otherwise, under the FRP, six CSGs may well arrive to join in the battle. 'All this leaves China with no choice but to start and end the war with lightning speed,' said the source. Politically, Summer Pulse is likely to be seen by many Chinese as naked intimidation. 'This is gunboat diplomacy in the 21st century,' the source remarked, adding that it would remind the Chinese people of their century-long deep humiliation by Western powers - and put Sino-US relations at peril. |
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Uhh, seven carriers off the China coast? While we are at war in the Middle East?
1 Aircraft Carrier is a 'Show of Force'. 7 would be more than just 'Sending a Signal'.
Heck, they couldn't even take on an unarmed P-3.
"They only THINK they can take on 2 CSG's."
He he he...same thought here.
(USS Independence, CV62, 1980/81)
Spitting in China's eye.
'bout time. We need to follow this up with economic measures of equal import.
This may help us avoid The Dragon's Fury
ping
You got that right, Jeff.
Good...very good.
Owl_Eagle
" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"
Nice to see us reminding the Chicomms that we are not going to be distracted by the Islamowhackos. The Chineese are about to experience trouble in Hong Kong to. The denziens of HK are getting pissed. Doesen't look like its going to be a good summer for the red chineese.
Uh, yeah. But who is intimidating who?
Spitting in China's eye.
'bout time. We need to follow this up with economic measures of equal import.
This may help us avoid The Dragon's Fury
As posted on another thread:
UN asks Israel to go nuclear-free
Posted by Phsstpok to chris1
On News/Activism 06/27/2004 4:20:09 PM PDT #63 of 81
I think it is time either Israel drop the hammer on Iran or we start employing Israeli methods to take out these islamiccreeps and jackals.I have this sneaking suspicion that the deployment of so many of our aircraft carriers in "Summer Pulse '04", some to the western Pacific and some to the Indian Ocean, is at the very least a way to make Iran and North Korea think that we might be ready to do just that. It may give the Chinese second thoughts about rattling Taiwan's cage, too.
It is even remotely possible that it's not an exercise or demonstration, too.
Well, yeah!
Of course, this may simply prove that Ching Cheong of the Strait Times hangs out on FR and decided to steel my lame idea for its potential propaganda value.
Or .....its a cover for getting all it's assets to sea when hard intel says a CONUS seaport is targeted........
OK tinfoil hat back in kryptonite suitcase.....
We're short on materials, manpower, money and we're kicking the tires and lighting the fires for an "exercise" ?
Me and chicken little think otherwise or is that chicken little and I ?
Stay safe Jeff !
TIMES SEVEN
...and if that is not enough, don't make call on the mighty Trident.
Why send 7 carriers, WTF is going on? Well the pacific is a Navy show, but why send all the carriers? That does not seem like a good idea.
Maybe North Korea will sit up and take notice.
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