Yes, you are!
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.”
Thank you. This was the only reason I scrolled down.
Yes, you are!
good job, thanks
Perfect. Thanks.
About 5 minutes... about 4:55 minutes of negotiating. Unless Kofi Annan was at the helm...
What would happen if CAPT KIRK was head this LOL!
LOL! Perhaps it was financed by Virgin Galactic!
He would seduce the female commander and all would be right with the worlds. Then he would bail, and head off for the next mission!
Any way we can steer more of the public education budget in that direction?
ROFL That is trueeeeeee
What would happen if he has meet with UN officials OMG I don't want to know that LOLOLOL!
YEAH I forgot ole capt Picard I been seeing alots of Star Trek TNG Since I got SPIKE TV and G-4 they show Star Trek 2.0
I remember that one episode of science officer gave Earl Grey loving Capt Picard some Chammolite tea he start coughing
I don't know that episode make me giggle LOL!
Leave it Klington suggest go after Iran
That Klingtons LOL!
That is too funny! I always thought future space craft should resemble the hardware from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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