Posted on 09/29/2006 5:35:43 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy forces in the Arabian Gulf are conducting maritime security operations and providing support to troops on the ground in Iraq, a Navy Strike Group commander said.
Speaking to reporters from the USS Enterprise in the northern Arabian Sea, Navy Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer, commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, said his unit is putting in long hours on many different missions in support of the war on terror.
“Whether Enterprise strike group is protecting coalition troops on the ground, conducting planned strikes on known terrorist sites, or providing airborne command and control for our coalition partners, we have demonstrated our ability to operate as a combat-ready naval force capable of sustained combat operations, deterring aggression, preserving freedom of the seas, and promoting peace and security,” Spicer said.
The Enterprise strike group has been deployed in support of operation Iraqi Freedom for almost five months. The Navy-Marine Corps team conducts maritime security operations to ensure security for commercial shipping and Iraq’s two oil terminals in the northern Arabian Gulf, Spicer said. The security operations are also important to the ground efforts in Iraq, as they help set the conditions for security and stability in the region, he said.
During June and July, Enterprise aircraft launched 781 aircraft missions in direct support of troops participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Spicer said. Enterprise aircraft also continue to support Operation Iraqi Freedom from an air base in Iraq, he said.
Over Iraq, the primary focus of Enterprise’s efforts is usually on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, Spicer said. The land-based aircraft contingent there focuses on ISR, as well as counter-improvised explosive device efforts and close-air support, he said.
Enterprise aircraft missions over Iraq occasionally encounter surface-to-air fire, but the crews are trained and ready to respond, Spicer said.
Sailors and Marines from the Enterprise strike group are working long hours and make critical contributions to the war on terror, Spicer said. Throughout their deployment, the troops have stayed motivated because they see the role they play in the war and the support they provide to the troops on the ground, he said.
“They’re committed; they’re motivated; they’re proud to be contributing to maritime security operations and the war on terror,” he said. “I think the American people would be proud too if they knew just how hard these sailors and Marines have been working and just how tremendously effective they’ve been at what they’ve been doing.”
Standby photon torpedoes.
Damn I didn't know we have Ship named after most famous starship in Starfleet LOL!
Enterprise = a name that has struck fear to our nation's enemies since the days of the Continental Navy.
There was a very good documentary just the other day (probably on History Channel) about the Enterprise(s).
Not having ever paid a ton of attention, I was surprised to hear that this is the 4th ship so named by the Navy - I guess there'll always be a USS Enterprise. I think the program said this one's due to retire in something like 2013.
come on
Interesting. I read something recently from a (Persian) Gulf nation paper that inferred something else.
The only pix you left out was beer man.
You forgot this one.
And the latest carrier is older than me.
The current USS Enterprise is the first nuclear powered carrier that the Navy had. The next one was the USS Nimitz.
OMG remember on Star Trek TNG they have thingy on how many Enterprise were I think it was Capt Picard Ready room
OMG I am such a trekkie
Rack the Freepers LOL! ROFL
OMGGG that too funny
I know now what Capt Picard said ENGAGE LOL!
Scifi ping (see further down the page)
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