Posted on 03/10/2011 6:53:26 AM PST by Zakeet
Those who have been following our series of US naval updates will not be surprised to learn that US forces are amassing around Tripoli. The LHD-3 Kearsarge is now within striking distance, and certainly within No Fly Zone enforcement, while the CVN 65, which according to some prior reports had already passed the Suez, is waiting just on the Southern tip of the canal. This is somewhat odd as it indicates that Naval command is still split as to where the Enterprise may be needed more: Libya or off the Persian Gulf where the Vinson is keeping watch for a potential Iran escalation. Of course, should Iran flare up, it is likely that Pakistan, Afghanistan and even India could rapidly go downhill which is why the US will probably need two aircraft carriers before it considers a full on attack against Iran. But the most surprising development was the launch of all three San Diego based aircraft carriers which three weeks ago were all sitting peacefully, their crews binging in the Gaslamp District, and since moving on to new deployment areas, most of which in the Pacific theater. Which means that very soon, the US will promptly need to get the 7 aircraft carriers that are currently at home port back in commission as things are heating up faster than the US can appropriately cover.
Slightly clearer version of the map HERE
... commanded by one of history's finest military minds
And on a liter note, President Sarkozy recognized the Libyan rebels council as a legitimate government, thereby insuring the doom of their movement . ( note to Libyans, check with the Poles on how the French rush to your aid).
One observation though is that we are set up for a "sunday punch" by having so many carriers at home port. I wish we still had 20 carriers, with 8-10 always underway. We used to have 2 carriers always on patrol in the 2nd Fleet methinks...one north of GUIK gap, one below it.
AMEN, AL BABY...How soon we forget.
Thanks for posting. Interesting...and interesting comments at ZH.
LOL! Good pic. I hope Barry has that other military genius/foreign policy expert Jhimmi the Dhimmi on speed-dial. /sarcasm
Hey, it’s now a “Global Force for Good” these days - dontchaknow...
PC crapola....
Nice location short hop to Spain and shore leave, they need to get underway, to make the weekend.
Who’d he borrow the mind from?
You like spending money like a rat, 20 carriers, it is a safe bet that future ones will be a lot smaller and a much fewer.
This old Sixth Fleet Carrier sailor was a little shocked to learn that we have done away with the Sixth Fleet Mediterranean Carrier rotation. In the 70s and 80s we always had a Carrier Air Group in the area – and the area is even more of a hotbed today, with not only the Middle East, and North African Nations on fire, but the on again off again fighting in disputed territories in Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, etc.
We need that carrier rotation back.
I think the new Ford class puts that idea to rest. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/cvn-78.htm
Carrier groups are cash money for a pol looking to spread the wealth.
islamists killing islamists is a good thing. Let ´em have at it.
Well then let’s get rid of all of them then.
CVN 76 (Ron's Raygun -- a friendly nickname for this new carrier) is just about to start a deployment.
I think that is what President Ronald Reagan had in mind with his Strategic Defense Initiative -- coming up with Ronald's Ray Gun or high tech ways to intercept missiles (among other things...) And the US Military does have laser weapons that now can knock down missiles/planes -- though I think they are still in the developmental phase.
I was on the Saratoga in the Med back in ‘64 and ‘65. Barrel of fun back then. Go out to sea for a couple of weeks and rest up to get ready to go back in port and party like a madman.
“I was on the Saratoga in the Med back in ‘64 and ‘65.”
On the Sarah 1977-1981. Many happy times in Naples and Barcelona. Uhhhhh but don’t tell Mrs. Navycando. What happened in Naples stays in Naples.
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