Free Republic

US considers granting missile ships to Turkey WASHINGTON / ANKARA As Turkey plans developing its national naval vehicles, a US bill to the House of Representatives suggests granting guided missile frigates to Turkey. The bill angers a particular Hellenic-US group A recent bill has been submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives that would authorize President Barack Obama to grant the provision of guided missile-firing naval vessels to Turkey, along with several other countries, including Thailand and Mexico. Under the motion, Turkey may receive the USS Halyburton (FFG–40) and the USS Thach (FFG–43) ships. USS Halybutron is the 34th ship...

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy is moving a huge amphibious ship closer to the scene of the pirate hostage standoff off Somalia. Defense officials say the USS Boxer will be nearby soon. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss sensitive ship movements. The Boxer is the flag ship for a multination anti-piracy task force. The Boxer resembles a small aircraft carrier. It has a crew of more than 1,000, a mobile hospital, missile launchers and about two dozen helicopters and attack planes. Two other Navy ships are expected to remain much closer to...