USS McFaul Brings Aid to Batumi, Georgia

US Navy web site ^ | 8-24-2008 | By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (CNE-C6F) Public Affairs

[lesser_satan]

They sent a friggen destroyer to deliver humanitarian aid? LOL, THAT should send a message to the Rooskies.

[Right Winged American]

Ah, Burke Class. Lots'a AAW, SPY-1; I gotta wonder if they're loaded with the ESSM SM-2's?

Georgia just got a trip-wire with serious protection.

Interesting, yes?

[Sigurdrifta]

Apparently. there are (at least) Canadian and Polish (yes!) naval vessels involved as well.

[onedoug]

I would that some of this “humanitarian” aid is in the form of weapons to wage guerrilla war against the reds.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Another massive embarrassment for western Europe and NATO. This is happening in their backyard and all can do is sit around bloviating and blaming Georgia for being raped by Russia. Meanwhile, the US is already delivering humanitarian aid and sending ships into the blacksea.

[cake_crumb]

It’s interesting how MANY Freepers...generally a crowd much better informed than the average bear, finds it at ALL surprising that the US would use a military vessel to deliver aid. And so MANY of you act like we’re never done this before. I didn’t think the tsunami that hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand was that long ago. Oh, WAIT...it WASN’T!

[Proud_USA_Republican]

The russian black sea fleet isn’t going to want to get anywhere near a Burke Class destroyer.

[IrishCatholic]

Any source for that? It is typical and disgusting the media hasn’t covered this.

It was like sending an M1-A2 Abrams tank to deliver a birthday card. We just had a Cuba blockade moment and no one knew it. The Russians apparently decided not to toe the line.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Great to hear.

[IrishCatholic]

I think Freepers pay attention. But you got us here. Could you tell us what Arleigh Burke class destroyers delivered cargo to the tsunami victims?

[cake_crumb]

I thought EUrope had already progressed (along with Democrats here) into full blame Bush mode?

[Thrownatbirth]

Dallas left Souda Bay, Crete on Thursday with more than 76,000 pounds of relief supplies

75,000 pounds will be olives.

[Right Winged American]

The russian black sea fleet isn’t going to want to get anywhere near a Burke Class destroyer.

Actually, I was thinking more in terms of the Anti-Air Warfare capabilities of the class. Particularly if they're carrying the RIM-162 ESSM 4-paks. Medium range, but still...

[Sigurdrifta]

There is a discussion of the ships supposedly involved at
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/08/us-warships-run.html

Apparently they were there for a previously planned exercise, but were “conveniently” in position for this.

Reuters has a picture of the USS McFaul, trailed by the Polish Navy vessel ORP Gen. Pulaski, on the way to Batumi.

[Red6]

Isn’t it time for some European politician to mock our efforts while doing nothing themselves?

[buccaneer81]

Could you tell us what Arleigh Burke class destroyers delivered cargo to the tsunami victims?

We used a carrier, among other vessels, in the tsunami relief. US warships are faster and often near the scene of incidents, rather than cargo ships. There's nothing unusual about this.

[cake_crumb]

How about the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group? Carrier groups include destroyers, and carriers aren't exactly meant to be the Good Ship Lollypop.

[cake_crumb]

"There's nothing unusual about this."

You'd think there was by some of the weird responses, wouldn't you? Some of them may not be American, which would account for a few...

[F-117A]

Apparently. there are (at least) Canadian and Polish (yes!) naval vessels involved as well. They are visiting Bulgaria and Romania as part of an exercise that was planned last year. A Spanish and a German ship are involved as well.

Here are some pictures.

You can run the German through Google Translator.