Big naval exercise in Persian Gulf (biggest since 2003)

KTRE TV, AP ^ | 27 Mar 07 | staff

[saganite]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates The U-S Navy has launched its largest show of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Two aircraft carriers are leading the way, backed by more than 100 warplanes flying simulated attack maneuvers off the coast of Iran.

The exercise comes just four days after Iran's capture of 15 British sailors and marines who Iran said had strayed into Iranian waters near the Gulf. Britain and the U-S Navy have insisted the British sailors were operating in Iraqi waters.

A U-S Navy commander says the maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors, nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic, but he wouldn't say when the exercises were planned.

The warships will stay out of Iranian territorial waters, which extend 12 miles off the Iranian coast.

[LibLieSlayer]

Sharpening the swords!

LLS

[mainepatsfan]

A U-S Navy commander says the maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors, nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic, but he wouldn't say when the exercises were planned.

LOL!! So it's not planned but they just decided NOW to do them?

[rhombus]

A U-S Navy commander says the maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors, nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic...

Just some "U-S" commander said this? Um....OK...fine. I imagine another "U-S" commander probably said, "Hey Iran, make our day...punks".

[beckaz]

A U-S Navy commander says the maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors, nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic,....

I would have preferred "no comment".

[mainepatsfan]

Or to quote T.O.'s agent Drew Rosenhaus, "Next question."

[IamConservative]

Brinksmanship, Navy style...

[GBA]

Watch out for the "sizzlers".

[BuffaloJack]

The only difference between an exercise and the real thing is ... the bullets.

[beckaz]

Even better.

[GonzoGOP]

"A U-S Navy commander says the maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors, nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic"

Of course if Iran wants to feel threatened thats OK too. I just hope they keep an eye on those three Kilo class subs the Iranians have or one of our vaunted carriers might end up the largest artificial reef in the Persian Gulf. And where are all those F22s the Air Force keeps buying at the cost of half a billion dollars each? Its time to get those bad boys in theater and loaded with something that might ruin the whole day for Iranian nuclear scientists.

Or we could just blockade the straights and wait for Iran to run out of money, and shortly thereafter friends.

[Dog]

Two can play the WAR GAME card.

[dennisw]

This is - "Operation Strike Fear into the Hearts of Those Who Worship False Prophets"

[dennisw]

Make their stone age rubble bounce

[gakrak]

I guess this exercise may not include rubber dingies so the Iranian mighty naval armada won't be soon attacking. LOL. Amen.

[american_ranger]

The exercise comes just four days after Iran's capture of 15 British sailors and marines who Iran said had strayed into Iranian waters near the Gulf.

So this a**hole reporter just blindly swallows the iranian propaganda that the Brits "strayed" into iranian waters. I am still trying to figure out how the iranians knew in advance that the Brits were going to stray into iranian waters.

[mainepatsfan]

Today's reporters would have swallowed the Nazi propaganda in September 1939 that they were attacked by Poland.

[AndyJackson]

Or France.

[RSmithOpt]

and naval exercises in a confined gulf area (Gulf of Arabia) plus somewhat unsecured (potentially dangerous)ocean area to boot......makes perfect military training sense to me.....hmmmm .....any beach front property for sale at a good price in Tuscon?

[RSmithOpt]

How about a 20K lb MOAB demo just on the border of Iran's territorial waters?