Posted on 02/06/2004 7:20:52 PM PST by blam
Sixth Fleet may move to Spain
John Hooper in Rome and Giles Tremlett in Madrid
Saturday February 7, 2004
The Guardian (UK)
The American navy said last night that it was considering moving its key, troubleshooting Sixth Fleet away from its base in Italy to Spain.
The move would deal a huge blow to the local economy in the area between Rome and Naples, but is likely to be greeted by Italians with as much bafflement as dismay. They had for some time been braced for a decision by Washington to shift the fleet's base port further eastwards, perhaps to Turkey. But no one had predicted a move that would send it several hundred miles in the opposition direction.
The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported this week that officials in Madrid had been told the Pentagon wanted to move the fleet's headquarters and supply facilities to Rota, near Cádiz, a joint US-Spanish base which is not even in the Mediterranean, the fleet's traditional area of operations.
Though Rota is further from the hot spots of the Middle East, it has the advantage of being a combined naval and air facility, offering the sort of rapid deployment capability that the US military is now looking for. Spain and the US last year signed a $450m (£243m) deal that allows the Americans to increase their use of the base.
A spokesman for US Naval Forces Europe, Lieutenant- Commander Terrence Dudley, said: "The move of the US Sixth Fleet to new facilities in Spain is only one of many initiatives currently under consideration."
The Sixth Fleet comprises some 40 ships, 175 aircraft and 21,000 military and civilian personnel, all commanded from the aircraft carrier LaSalle, which is based at Gaeta, midway between Rome and Naples.
President George Bush ordered a wide-ranging review of the deployment of US forces last November. Lt Cdr Dudley said the navy was reviewing all aspects of its presence in Europe, "seeking to maximise its capabilities whilst reducing inefficiencies to meet the challenges posed by changing defence priorities".
Gaeta had the advantage of being close to Nato command facilities in Naples and, according to Nato sources, the alliance has no plans to move its own facilities. However, it is a tourist resort with relatively steep prices, which may have played a role in prompting the Pentagon to consider a move.
Luke Harding and Ian Black add: Nato defence ministers meeting in Germany last night gave a cool reaction to a standing request from the Bush administration for them to send troops to Iraq. The alliance's new Dutch secretary general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said it was too soon to say whether Nato would agree to an American proposal for it to take charge of a multinational division there, now led by Poland.
Nato officials said a decision was likely by the time President Bush met other alliance leaders in Istanbul in June, just before the US hands over power to an interim Iraqi administration.
Yesterday the US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, suggested Nato could also eventually take over the southern Basra sector, currently occupied by Britain.
Nato's position on Iraq is that the alliance is now likely to play a role, but only after the establishment of Iraqi sovereignty and probably after a new UN resolution. It is unlikely that countries such as France, Germany and Belgium, which strongly opposed the war, would send forces without the approval of the UN security council.
I stopped by Rota a few times coming and going back in the arly '70s but never had the opportunity to leave the base. It was nice and sunny but also hot and dusty. My most vivid memory of the place is the purchase of two pairs of elegant leather boots which, sadly, ended up being a size too small.
Years later, I still love Spain, having hit Barcelona and Valencia a few times by sea and Barcelona by rail. We visited Spain about four years ago and started out in the south (a week in a beautiful RCI timeshare in Torremolinas) where we visited Seville, Cordoba, Segovia, Malaga, Gibraltar, etc. but had the good sense to avoid the "lure" of the ferry to Morocco. I'm not keen on surrendering my passport to a tour captain named Abdul, thank you.
We then went north to Madrid, spent four days there and then on to points north where my wife had served as a missionary many moons ago. What a beautiful country filled with wonderful people. Great Semana Santa (Holy Week/Easter) processions and a wonderful rail system. A clean country, too, overall.
But I never could understand why their seemed to be an ongoing competition for the national title of "The Filthiest Public Restroom in Spain." The winner hands down was an otherwise awesome cathedral in central Madrid, with runners-up in many otherwise fine restaurants.
We'd like to see our adopted home-away-from-home before the Islamo-Spanish Civil War begins. Hell, the Muslims already are fixin' to rebuild the Grand Mosque in Segovia as a major step toward the Islamic "reclamation" of Spain.
We're going back for a week this year -- Allah willing (if'n ya git my drift) -- disguised as it were as a Greek and an Icelander and wearing amulets made from Spanish soap (Lavanda Puig) to ward of the gypsies which still plague the land after so many centuries.
In these troubled times I only wish that I could bring along my two German friends as well -- two very high-caliber gentlemen named Herr Heckler and Herr Koch. They don't eat much but can be very loud and assertive at times, but they do speak a universal language.
I wonder if the no-nonsense la Guardia Civil' still pack understated 9's....... 8~)
McMonica's? ("Have it Your Way"). Or perhaps Saint Humpty of Napoli.
"My first Med Cruise was in 1959 on Forrestal and Humpty Dumpty was there then. My last Med Cruise was in 1983 aboard Nimitz and Humpty was still there, but she obviously wasn't the same woman."
Say it ain't so, oldsalt!! 8~{
(Disclaimer: "I'll only say this once. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Dumpty.")
Deployed twice to the Med from Camp Lejeune (Marines) back in the mid-'60's. On the second cruise (early '66) our ship stopped at Rota on the way over ... prior to hooking up with 6th Fleet in the Med. Remember it somewhat, but it didn't leave an indelible impression.
The flag ship of the 6th Fleet during that era was the USS Springfield stationed at Villefranche (between Nice & Monaco) on the French Riviera. Now that was great duty ... She was later replaced by the USS Little Rock that moved the home port to Italy, just north of Naples.
Wife and I spent last summer in Seville (her hometown) as a retirement gift to ourselves. Was mildly surprised to see the Guardia had a fair complement of females. They no longer wear the fascist-looking forest green uniforms with patent leather hats, Sam Browne belts, etc. In fact they look almost "civil". Pistols, from what I could see, appeared to be Astra A-series (Sig knockoffs).
The Moroccans were flooding southern beaches in unbelievable numbers, and being caught and turned back by the hundreds almost daily. Risking all for a chance to sell sunglasses and imitation Rolex watches in tent kiosks. Some southern areas (Almeria for one) seem to have more Moors than Spaniards.
The ancient Spanish curse, "me cache en los Moros", can still be heard! Above all the cerveza CruzCampo is still great! And the women? Stunning!
Regards, Carlos
LDP = Landing Personnel Dock = Carries Marines and landing craft. The Well Deck is partially flooded, the stern gate is opened, and the landing craft go out and go in to dock.
I think that picture of the USS RR was when it was on its shakedown cruise. It wouldn't be fully manned, nor have aircraft embarked.
I suspect the planners are looking closely at Rota's new staging area as well as their port facilities and air field. IIRC, the staging area was built up in the last few years, solely as a staging/forward positioning area for contingencies in that part of the world.
Strategically, Rota is the perfect location for controlling access to the med. With sea access just a short distance west of Gibraltar, plus their air facilities, they are in position to be the gatekeeper.
"Some southern areas (Almeria for one) seem to have more Moors than Spaniards."
I must talk with my German relatives who bought property there - as tax refugees:)
I hope all those Navy guys get off the base to meet and marry a Spanish woman. They look nice and are smart. Smart enough to let a man think he runs things, while they know otherwise. LOL!
"My name's not Joe,
I don't want to buy a Rolex,
and I don't want to tour the cameo factory!"
I was stationed at NAVSUPPACT (NSA) Naples (1968-70)in Agnano, which was near the Navy Hospital. Humpty Dumpty used to sit on the wall along with her friends on the road leading into the crater. We organized a party and asked her to hand out autographed pictures of herself to the guests. She refused stating that she would rather give them oral gratification than humilate herself with pictures. Even Humpty had standards.
One afternoon I asked on of the "Hey-Joes" if he wanted to buy a watch. When he expressed interest and curiosity, I told him to be on my ship's quarterdeck at midnight for the mid-watch.
. He knew what I meant, and after he unleased a high-pitched torrent of Italian profanity at me, I asked him to translate. He busted up laughing, dutifully obliged, and impressed me with how expressive the Italian language can be.
Quite educational, I must say, and almost as funny as the ancient business establishment signs (or repros thereof) gracing the streets of Pompeii.
Oh, my. Flashbacks coming on. Craving a six-ounce bottle of Coca Cola...........
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