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.

[UCANSEE2]

"We likely have several subs in the gulf , with nuclear missiles aboard."

Likely. More than several, and they don't have to be in the gulf to be effective.

The real number? Unknown except to a few. Much much higher than you would even imagine.

[Grampa Dave]

The fire power/kill power/destruction potential of the US Navy in that region on top of the water and under the water could take out Iran, Syria and Saudi Land in minutes and have enough left over for the major allies of these sobs.

[P8riot]

Ah yes, my old home.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69

[Grampa Dave]

Dave your post needs to be updated with the addition of the USS Bataan strike group.

Thanks, that data is now in our Naval Order of Battle.

If Tehran Knew!:

"In America, they lie for tactical reasons, stating over and over that military action against Iran is unlikely. However in Iran, out of ignorance, they reiterate that American military action against their country is impossible because the US is "unable" to do so!

We say and hope our analysis is wrong. A possible military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is in the final stages. Unless a political miracle occurs that revives the halted dialog between Iran and the international community, Iran and its neighboring countries should not be surprised by a scenario that includes American military action. "

Just maybe, President Bush is purposely allowing the media and the left to spout their garbage in order to create the illusion that we are completely incapable of taking any action against Iran. It would come as a complete surprise if we did take action.

Iranian Map: Before our upcoming Victory:

Iranian Map: After our upcoming Victory:

Over the past week, the U.S. Navy has given orders to the U.S.S. John Stennis carrier battle group, based in Bremerton, WA, to steam toward the Persian Gulf, where it will join the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Navy sources say the Pentagon is getting ready to announce the dispatch of a third carrier battle group – the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan – from San Diego. That will make three carrier battle groups in the region starting at around the end of January.

Oh, and along with them is the amphibious assault group led by the U.S.S. Boxer, which can land several thousand U.S. Marines to seize and destroy strategic sites near the coast at a moment’s notice. (Busheir? Bandar Abbas? Jask? The three Persian Gulf islands Iran seized from the UAE in the 1990s and has since fortified to harass Gulf shipping? Your pick).

A Quote from: The Dogs of War - Lessons of the 20th Century. By Victor Davis Hanson, (author most recently of Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise of Western Power):

“"I would not wish to fight the United States - either militarily, politically, or culturally. For every threat, our history teaches us that Americans offer not just a rejoinder, but the specter of a devastating answer of a magnitude almost inconceivable to those now chanting and threatening in the streets of the Middle East.

Do they have any idea of what sort of dangerous people we really are? Do they understand the history of the names of those ships now off their coasts, like the USS Peleliu or Enterprise, or the pedigree of the 82nd or 101st Airborne?"

Recent US Naval and Marine Corp additions to handle/control/kill the Iranian Serial Killers:

Bataan Transits Suez Canal, Enters U.S. 5th Fleet Story Number: NNS070130-14 Release Date: 1/30/2007 7:00:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Joanne De Vera, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the Sailors and Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) successfully transited the Suez Canal on Jan. 30 and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

While in the region, the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) will conduct maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

“We’ll continue our role as the surface warfare commander and the air defense commander for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group,” said Cmdr. Jon Carriglitto, Bataan’s operations officer. “Together with the MEU, we bring the ability to insert a quick, capable amphibious force where it’s needed.”

While in theater, approximately 6,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to the ESG and the 26th MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions. The Bataan ESG has the capabilities to support MSO, combat operations and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.

“Bataan ESG’s presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet will require the crew to conduct what it does best: well deck and flight deck operations,” said Carriglitto. “We’ll be conducting varsity-level operations, but much of it falls right in line with our ongoing training, so I know we’re ready to meet those challenges.”

Bataan, commanded by Capt. David Hulse, left its homeport of Norfolk on Jan. 4 for a regularly-scheduled deployment as the flagship of the Bataan ESG. The ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Commodore Donna Looney, commander, Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron 2, and the 26th MEU based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., commanded by Col. Gregg Sturdevant.

In addition to Bataan, the strike group consists of USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Underwood (FFG 36), and USS Scranton (SSN 756).

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

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[maquiladora]

I've got another update for you. The guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and (more importantly) the USS Ashland are now also in the north western Indian Ocean. The Ashland is "designed to transport Marines and their combat gear throughout the world and then to launch and support assault landing craft and helicopters during amphibious operations against hostile shores."

They're keeping an eye on Somalia at the moment but are only a couple of days sailing away from being within range of Iran if required.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks. This will be added to the continuing Order of Battle, US Navy, collage:

"Due to rapidly developing events in Somalia, U.S. Central Command has tasked USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to join USS Bunker Hill, USS Ramage, USS Anzio and USS Ashland to support ongoing maritime security operations off the coast of Somalia," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Brown, a spokesman for 5th Fleet in Bahrain.

[Grampa Dave]

If Tehran Only Knew!:

"In America, we lie for tactical reasons, stating over and over that military action against Iran is unlikely. However in Iran, out of ignorance, they reiterate that American military action against their country is impossible because the US is "unable" to do so!

We say and hope our analysis is wrong. A possible military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is in the final stages. Unless a political miracle occurs that revives the halted dialog between Iran and the international community, Iran and its neighboring countries should not be surprised by a scenario that includes American military action. "

Just maybe, President Bush is purposely allowing the media and the left to spout their garbage in order to create the illusion that we are completely incapable of taking any action against Iran. It would come as a complete surprise if we did take action.

Iranian Map: Before we unleash the real hell on earth for the Iranian Whackjobs:

Iranian Map: After the above!

Over the past week, the U.S. Navy has given orders to the U.S.S. John Stennis carrier battle group, based in Bremerton, WA, to steam toward the Persian Gulf, where it will join the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Navy sources say the Pentagon is getting ready to announce the dispatch of a third carrier battle group – the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan – from San Diego. That will make three carrier battle groups in the region starting at around the end of January.

Oh, and along with them is the amphibious assault group led by the U.S.S. Boxer, which can land several thousand U.S. Marines to seize and destroy strategic sites near the coast at a moment’s notice. (Busheir? Bandar Abbas? Jask? The three Persian Gulf islands Iran seized from the UAE in the 1990s and has since fortified to harass Gulf shipping? Your pick).

A Quote from: The Dogs of War - Lessons of the 20th Century. By Victor Davis Hanson, (author most recently of Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise of Western Power):

“"I would not wish to fight the United States - either militarily, politically, or culturally. For every threat, our history teaches us that Americans offer not just a rejoinder, but the specter of a devastating answer of a magnitude almost inconceivable to those now chanting and threatening in the streets of the Middle East.

Do they have any idea of what sort of dangerous people we really are? Do they understand the history of the names of those ships now off their coasts, like the USS Peleliu or Enterprise, or the pedigree of the 82nd or 101st Airborne?"

Recent US Naval and Marine Corp additions to handle/control/kill the Iranian Serial Killers:

Bataan Transits Suez Canal, Enters U.S. 5th Fleet Story Number: NNS070130-14 Release Date: 1/30/2007 7:00:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Joanne De Vera, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the Sailors and Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) successfully transited the Suez Canal on Jan. 30 and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

While in the region, the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) will conduct maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations encompasses 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

“We’ll continue our role as the surface warfare commander and the air defense commander for the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group,” said Cmdr. Jon Carriglitto, Bataan’s operations officer. “Together with the MEU, we bring the ability to insert a quick, capable amphibious force where it’s needed.”

While in theater, approximately 6,000 U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to the ESG and the 26th MEU provide the combatant commander a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions. The Bataan ESG has the capabilities to support MSO, combat operations and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.

“Bataan ESG’s presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet will require the crew to conduct what it does best: well deck and flight deck operations,” said Carriglitto. “We’ll be conducting varsity-level operations, but much of it falls right in line with our ongoing training, so I know we’re ready to meet those challenges.”

Bataan, commanded by Capt. David Hulse, left its homeport of Norfolk on Jan. 4 for a regularly-scheduled deployment as the flagship of the Bataan ESG. The ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Commodore Donna Looney, commander, Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron 2, and the 26th MEU based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., commanded by Col. Gregg Sturdevant.

In addition to Bataan, the strike group consists of USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Underwood (FFG 36), and USS Scranton (SSN 756).

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

"Due to rapidly developing events in Somalia, U.S. Central Command has tasked USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to join USS Bunker Hill, USS Ramage, USS Anzio and USS Ashland to support ongoing maritime security operations off the coast of Somalia," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charlie Brown, a spokesman for 5th Fleet in Bahrain.

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[Candor7]

Thanks for the brief brief. It looks like we are in for not only a troop surge in Iraq, but also a major round of gun boat diplomacy, in the Gulf. Will Iran blink?

[Candor7]

Lets hope we can reach our goals without having to fire a shot, the iranians have grown strangely silent of late.

BTW, looked at your Freep Page: "My main hobby and some say large % of my life is fly fishing." Right now I am teaching from a River Runs Through It,by Norman McClean, which has a lot of fly fishing in it. Its perfect for the fly fisherman who looks wistfully out at the frosty verges of his old trout stream in the winter.

I come from a long line of fly fisherman, fly fisherman by necessity only a generation ago, for food. My boyhood was spent in the Mirimichi area of New Brunswick Canada. Some of the best fly fishin' in the world.

[Grampa Dave]

If there is no regime change in Iran in the near future there will be no Iran as we know it. Israel and we can't allow these Islamofascist Serial Killers to get their hands on nuclear weapons.

Re the fly fishing. My Dad started me out as soon as I could cast a fly rod. I dropped out for a couple of decades and got back in before I took early retirement about a decade ago.

I have done some damage to my right rotator cuff, bicep and bicep head on top old injuries with the heavier one handed rods, lines, sinking tips and big flies. The result is I can't cast a single hand rod anymore.

Because of the injuries and inability to cast a one handed rod, I got into the Spey Rods/two handed casting about 5 years ago. Now, I can cast about as far as I need to on most waters, inspite of a serious reinjury two years ago this May, (non fly fishing injury). Thanks to a good physical therapist, I can cast most of my two handed rods with the exception of the bigger and heavier ones, (no real need re fishing in my area).

Most of the big rods have been sold and shorter lighter two handed rods/reels have replaced them. I have done a lot of personal experimenting with the lighter Spey lines and lines that can be used with the lighter two handed rods.

Now I can fish in areas with no back casting room from in front of my boots out to 65-75' with no wear and tear on my old body.

Another advantage of the two handed rods is the elimination of the need to wade in deeper and more dangerous waters. That makes it safer and less tiring for this old 68 fisher. Starting today, I will be testing some new Croc/shoes for light duty shore wading with waders or just Gore Tex socks. That will be another twist which makes fishing easier without the heavy, aqua tred/tungsten spiked wading boots for a lot of the water I fish.

My wife keeps trying to get me back to the East Coast for the fall leaf change. If we can combine some fishing for me I would like to try the area where you are.

Thanks for the reply and may good hard tugs await your flies.

[Candor7]

Thanks for the reply and may good hard tugs await your flies.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Scottish ancestry I have transmits fly fishing. Its good to talk to another who is haunted by waters. I can spent 8 hours on a stream or river and it goes by like half an hour. I am at the point where I don't really care if I catch anything and if I do, often cook it up right on the bank.

I live in Vermont, about 2 hours away from the Batten Kill.I will fish it this spring.

http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/battenkill.html

The best fishing I ever had was in Newfoundland. Lake trout on one side of an old logging dam, and brookies on the downstream side. They were all big.You could catch your breakfast in about 20 minutes.

http://www.newfoundlandoutfitter.com/

The Mirimichi is my favorite river, in New Brunswick. In the Spring the fish hit the fly so hard it makes the hair stand up on your neck.

Here are some links to the Mirimichi:

http://www.wwdoak.com/mainframe.htm

http://www.shangrilalodge.com/

http://www.wilsonscamps.nb.ca/atlantic-salmon.html

http://www.fishingincanada.com/links/New_Brunswick/Lodges/

I am 58, a youngster. If I were 28, I would be walking the line in Iraq, with the US Marines or the Canadian Blackwatch, in Afghanistan. I am either lucky or cursed to be born too late.

Keep on castin'!

[BIGLOOK]

I've been quiet lately, mostly due to anger and outrage over two current topics that have taken center stage since November; global warming and the WOT.

The climate changes irregularly and we deal with it since we have little choice in the matter. This item has become so highly politicized that dealing with the necessary changes in our lives without suffering taxation and regulation that impede sensible remedies and adaptation. So far, I've done little to nothing changing my life style or habits to combat this catastrophic non event.

When politics invades science, science suffers.....and in this day and time, so do we all.

The 'War' in Iraq? It's over. Saddam is history, along with his sons and along with most of the Al Q'aeda leaders that have been sucked into the vacuum that exists post Saddam. The WOT isn't over yet though, since it's primary sponsor and enabler exists. flaunting it's deception under the guise of a sovereign nation threatened by the 'Great Satan' and Israel......both it has threatened itself to destroy.

Long ago, we trained for counter insurgency in a small place in SE Asia; the plan sucked and a war of attrition was adapted and prevailed. One further step in the war was denied by protocol and proved a downfall to all our efforts and blood, giving rise to the succession of the witless and terminally stupid Democrats who hinder democracy while pretending to represent it.

Just a rant.

BTW....Nuke Tehran....protocols be damned and change their government permanently.

[Grampa Dave]

I have the same two problems you have.

When science becomes polluted and watered down with PC politics, it is no longer science.

Re the WOT, I get the feeling that GW realizes that his watch will be last chance we have to win this war. I don't think that he will let the rats in congress and lefties around the world stop him.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Late February date with Iran?

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the great reply.

It has to be the Scottish blood lines. I often go to our local river which is ugly and few fish are caught from the shore fly fishing. However, like last evening, I can drive 5 minutes and get a couple of hours of Spey Casting right in the middle of town.

In spite of the above, in about 2-3 minutes, I'm casting and the noise of a busy little city are gone, and I'm into the casting.

Thanks to a FR friend, I can drive an hour and be on the Russian River and basically the only fisher on the river. 4-6 hours are gone before I know it.

During our recent bitter cold, I would drive a half hour to a lake that is over run with people in warm weather. In my wind stopper fleece, I was warm and enjoying every cast in total solitude.

I'm saving your reply in a folder marked East Coast Fishing.

Thanks again.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

To bring Iran to it's knees the US needs to control the coastal areas, Take out SAM assets, neutralize the Silkworm threat at the Straits of Hormuz, send in hunter killer teams for mobile rocket launchers, bomb the existing missile complexes, capture the oilfields and infrastructure at the upper Persian Gulf area, then pound Tehran's command and control centers.

We can hold the line and use aerial assets to destroy any re-reinforcements sent from Tehran as they have to travel hundreds of miles to engage US troops, who will be entrenched at strategic choke points. Tehran's long supply lines will prevent it from fielding an army that can withstand more than a few days worth of battle and the carnage inflicted upon the border troops will destroy their moral very quickly.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for your reply.

Those long supply lines would open the Islamofascists up to Iranian Snipers wanting to overthrow the Islamo Serial Killers.

I like your map of why we are in Iraq!