U.S. strike group transits Suez Canal as part of buildup of U.S. forces in Mideast

AP ^ | January 30, 2007

[maquiladora]

ISMAILIYA, Egypt: A U.S. Navy strike group led by the assault ship USS Bataan steamed through the Suez Canal on Tuesday on its way to join the buildup of American forces in the Middle East.

The Bataan, which entered Egyptian waters Monday, spent the night at the Mediterranean harbor of Port Said and was expected to leave the Egyptian part of the Red Sea later Tuesday, a Suez Canal official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press.

The seven-vessel Bataan group includes 2,200 U.S. Marines and sailors, helicopters and Harrier fighter jets, the Navy said in Bahrain.

The U.S. Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, will be overseeing around 50 warships in the Mideast after the arrival of the Bataan and an American aircraft carrier group in February, said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Brown.

The Bataan will join a second amphibious assault ship, the USS Boxer, which was on port visit in Dubai on Tuesday.

Brown said the Pentagon recently extended the tour of duty of the Boxer's U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is in Iraq.

[maquiladora]

The Bataan group has been sitting in the Mediterranean for the past few weeks. This is a development I've been waiting to see. Speaks for itself really.

[steveyp]

Loose Lips and all that...

[Dog]

The Bataan will join a second amphibious assault ship, the USS Boxer

Plus two carrier strike groups....that is some serious firepower.

[Victor]

Indeed it is....not all this for "insurgents", methinks....

Next stop.....Iran?

[mkjessup]

And thank Almighty God up above, that the USS Boxer has absolutely, positively *NOTHING* to do with the ignorant, arrogant, bucket-mouthed know-nothing Senator of the same name from the State of Californication.

http://www.boxer.navy.mil/History.html

The USS Boxer has a fine and noble tradition of which all Americans can be proud.

[flynmudd]

My son's deployment was extended. He wouldn't tell me where he was or for how much longer he will be over there.

[maquiladora]

Indeed....

Just as a visual, by the middle of Feb all these will be within striking distance of Iran...

USS Bataan

USS Boxer

USS Stennis

USS Eisenhower

[maquiladora]

Indeed. It's a very clear message to Tehran.

[Clive]

Canada ping.

The Boxer group already in the Gulf is ESG5 which is comprised of Amphibious Squadron 5, the 15th MEU, USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Dubuque (LPD 8), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Howard (DDG 83), USCG Midgett (WHEC 726), and HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341).

See the DND/Canadian Forces press release of 2006-09-01, posted here as HMCS Ottawa to Depart for Arabian Gulf Region

[Junior]

Loose Lips and all that...

Take it from a Navy PA type, this stuff is in the public domain.

[mkjessup]

God be with each and every one of these brave sailors, and grant them all 'Good Hunting!' :)

[Recon Dad]

FYI, this is the 26th MEU and part of the deployment is period spent refueling and shore leave prior to getting to canal. They will have already deployed some units of the Marines to various theaters. The main body of the MEU will be very active in Iraq shortly.
This is the first deployment of the MARSOC group and a lot of people are watching to see how they are put to work.

[Thrownatbirth]

VFA-143 Pukin' Dogs rawk!

[ryan71]

I just love the butt nuggets who insist carriers are obsolete, don't you?

These forces aren't being brought together for a photo shoot.

Go NAVY

[Recon Dad]

Every six months a group like this leaves on a float like this. It is completely normal. What's new is the new MARSOC (Marines Spec Ops group).
Good luck to them and good hunting. Good luck to them all.

[Clive]

"What's new is the new MARSOC (Marines Spec Ops group)."

Also extending the deployment of ESG5 (Boxer)

[maquiladora]

Every six months a group like this leaves on a float like this. It is completely normal.

Indeed, but the 15th MEU with the Boxer group has had their tour of duty extended an extra 45 days. (That's open source btw.)

[ASA Vet]

Ping

Another tool puzzle piece moved into place.

[Clive]

Let's not forget the escorts:

(341 is HMCS Ottawa)

(The picture was taken from Ottawa's chopper)