Document U.S. CENTCOM Statement on Events Surrounding Iranian Detainment of 10 U.S. Navy Sailors

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | January 18, 2016 | CENTCOM

[KC Burke]

That reasonable hypothesis would make a good story line — get with Travis and we could see if the story prodded something loose. LOL.

It is just amazing what this country has descended into and I don’t hold out much hope for a reversal.

[Hawthorn]

>> So they are in the same time zone <<

Well, to be exact, Zulu Time is always the same as UTC, which is the same as GMT.

So for example, 1730Z is just the way military, aviation and diplomatic traffic refers to 1730 GMT, or 1730 UTC, or 5:30 p.m. London time. It’s that simple.

[blueunicorn6]

Oh, so the boats weren’t in the same time zone as GMT?

[chemical_boy]

or the Iranians spoofed the GPS signal and led them astray and they didn’t want to leave proof behind

[Hawthorn]

>> so the boats weren’t in the same time zone as GMT? <<

Correct. The local time zones in the Persian Gulf are several hours ahead of GMT.

But military, aviation and diplomatic communications will normally cite time in the UTC or “Zulu” format, regardless of whatever time zone the locals happen to be in.

Anyway, a clock set on UTC gives the same time as a clock set to GMT. So whenever it’s 5:30 p.m. at the Greenwich Observatory in England (ignoring the UK’s use of daylight savings time), it’s 1730Z worldwide for the military.

[cmomm44]

My opinion all along-—something was to be delivered that was not to. be seen by anyone , especially the media—

[2harddrive]

“What is the basis for claiming that the boats were seized in international waters?”

Bruce, you will have to read the linked article to see. Who are you going to believe? Iran? Your State Department? Or the Navy SEAL? I go with the SEALS!

[Brown Deer]

http://www.eutimes.net/2016/01/obama-destroyed-after-us-navy-boats-transporting-top-isis-terror-leader-captured-by-iran/

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

I read the article. I did not see a clear statement that it was actually in international waters.

The guy who wrote that is an ex-SEAL no longer on active duty. It reads to me a lot more like his own speculation rather than anything based on actual inside information or evidence.

Absent uncontroverted evidence, I go with the simplest scenario that makes sense the most logical sense, and that SEAL's speculation doesn't meet that standard.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Well, it reads like the basis for a pretty cool novel, but there's absolutely no reason to believe that source.

More importantly, it doesn't make sense. Why in the world would you transport such a high-value target in a small open boat from Bahrain to Kuwait, to be flown to Syria? Why not simply fly from Bahrain to Kuwait, or if you're going to go by sea, in a larger ship where he wouldn't be so easily seen? Exposing him on a small boat is more like a cheap pot device than anything that makes sense.

[2harddrive]

I believe the Navy SEAL, because I already KNOW that Iran lies, and that the State Dept lies, and that Obama lies (A VIDEO caused Benghazi? The IRS has NOT been weaponized? You can KEEP your doctor, and KEEP your insurance? You can SAVE $2500 per year?)

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

You can believe who you choose. There is no indication - at all - that this SEAL has any actual knowledge of what happened, as opposed to just speculating. I would agree with you if he was claiming to be there, or actually claimed to have spoken to someone who was. But he didn't.

Second, we also have two SEALs who broke the confidentiality of classified ops to talk about the bin Laden mission, and both claim to have shot OBL. SEALs (like everyone else) are not immune to...puffery. And if you know any, they'll admit that not all of them are perfect.

The report wasn't from the State Department - it was from CENTCOM via the U.S. Naval Institute. While CENTCOM is certainly capable of not relating facts accurately, you at least need to understand the players correctly if you want to discuss this.

I would suggest talking to some former naval officers - guys who are no longer in - and ask them what they think most likely happened. One already chimed in on this tread, and I know others as well. But ask around for yourself.