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Dolphins Valuable to U.S. in Arabian Gulf
Associated Press ^ | Mon, Nov 22, 2004 | ADNAN MALIK

Posted on 11/22/2004 1:13:22 PM PST by presidio9

MINA SALMAN PORT, Bahrain - The dolphins deployed as underwater sentinels to the Arabian Gulf region by the U.S. Navy (news - web sites) last year have been valuable in protecting coalition ships and piers against terrorist attacks, a Navy spokesmen said Friday.

The dolphins, brought to the region in spring 2003, are trained to detect, locate and mark a threat swimmer or diver and alert their human handlers.

"The mission is going well. The dolphins have provided a very valuable layer of defense here," said Lt. Josh Frey, spokesman for the 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain. "We judge their success by the fact that no terrorism has occurred here."

Citing security reasons, Frey would not say how many dolphins were deployed or how long they will be in the region.

Lt. Kary Olson, who is in charge of these marine mammals, said this has been the longest combat theater deployment for the Mark 6 dolphins.

As Olson spoke, a 400-pound dolphin named Luke made a splashing appearance inside a floating pen off the Mina Salman port, southeast of Manama.

The 9-foot-long dolphin stood on its tail to receive a fish that a Navy handler on the patrol boat threw in his direction.

"They need some time for fun," Olson said.

The Navy started using marine mammals in the early 1960s, when scientists studied if dolphins' sleek shape had hydrodynamic qualities that could help improve underwater missiles.

It used dolphins during the Vietnam War and again in the Iraq (news - web sites) war to detect mines at the country's only deep-water port, Umm Qasr.

Dolphins were last used in Bahrain in the late 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war, when several oil tankers were attacked in the Arabian Gulf. At the time, six dolphins patrolled the Bahrain harbor to protect U.S. ships from mines and enemies.


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: animalrights; dolphins; usn; workingdogs
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1 posted on 11/22/2004 1:13:23 PM PST by presidio9
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To: presidio9

Yep, they taste just like Chicken of the Sea.


2 posted on 11/22/2004 1:13:56 PM PST by pissant
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To: presidio9

Damn! Well at least they're good for SOMEthing. They sure are worthless on the gridiron.


3 posted on 11/22/2004 1:15:04 PM PST by FreeKeys ("Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!" -- Admiral David Farragut)
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To: pissant

Yep, I like "tuna-free" dolphin, myself.


4 posted on 11/22/2004 1:16:24 PM PST by FreeKeys ("Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!" -- Admiral David Farragut)
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To: presidio9
Why these little critters are amazing.

Next thing you know they'll be captaining their own destroyer.

When the sailers get hungry they can grill these little morsels and eat them rare. Just like ahi.

5 posted on 11/22/2004 1:16:37 PM PST by JesseHousman
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To: presidio9


6 posted on 11/22/2004 1:18:18 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: presidio9

Somehow the thought of dolphins training in the armed forces reminds me of that Simpsons episode.


7 posted on 11/22/2004 1:23:05 PM PST by BJClinton (Honk if you love peace and quiet.)
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To: BJClinton

Go flipper!!!!


8 posted on 11/22/2004 1:28:12 PM PST by elephantman96
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To: presidio9
deployment for the Mark 6 dolphins.

What happended to the Mark 1 through 5 dolphins????

9 posted on 11/22/2004 1:30:18 PM PST by berkeleybeej
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To: presidio9

This pleases Don Knotts.


10 posted on 11/22/2004 1:32:31 PM PST by Blzbba (Conservative Republican - Less gov't, less spending, less intrusion.)
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To: Owl_Eagle
Dolphins Valuable to U.S. in Arabian Gulf

I don't get this. They haven't been able to stop anyone's air or ground attacks so far this season. Maybe the thinking is if they can stand the Miami temperatures then maybe they can adjust to the Gulf temperatures quicker than, say, an Eagle or Redskin. Any other ideas why they would be sent to the Gulf?

11 posted on 11/22/2004 1:43:03 PM PST by HenryLeeII ("How do you ask a goose to be the last goose to die for a shameless political stunt?" -Tony in Ohio)
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To: HenryLeeII

LOL!!


12 posted on 11/22/2004 1:46:12 PM PST by berkeleybeej
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To: FreeKeys
Damn! Well at least they're good for SOMEthing. They sure are worthless on the gridiron.

LOL! I love you.

13 posted on 11/22/2004 1:47:19 PM PST by Lazamataz ("Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown" -- harpseal)
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To: HenryLeeII
Sounds like one of Huizenga's crazy ideas.  I guess if they're all in the Gulf, he doesn't have to worry about them accidentally winning another game and he assures himself of a top draft pick.  Finally, the Dolphins could draft the next heir to the Greise/Marino Legacy.  Lord knows, Ray Lucas/Brian Greise/Jay Fielder/A.J. Feeley/Sage Rosenfelds/Cade McNown weren't the answer.
 
I'm just not entirely sure who the choice is though.  Earlier I would have told you that Orton kid from Pudue, but now I'm thinking Matt Leinart or Andrew Walter, but are those guys just beneficiaries of being in a good system surrounded by strong personnel?  Hopefully, some time away from football in the Gulf will clear Rick Speilman's head and he'll make the right decision.
 
I support Huizenga in this risky, but well considered plan.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

14 posted on 11/22/2004 1:51:58 PM PST by End Times Sentinel (Zell Miller- No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy.)
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To: presidio9

Mark 6 Dolphin. I like that...


15 posted on 11/22/2004 2:29:46 PM PST by telebob
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To: Blzbba

LOL! Mr. Limpet!


16 posted on 11/22/2004 2:35:30 PM PST by COBOL2Java (If this isn't the End Times it certainly is a reasonable facsimile...)
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To: presidio9

Somebody notify PETA!!!!!


17 posted on 11/22/2004 3:01:29 PM PST by freakboy
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To: Owl_Eagle
Ah, the Miami Dolphins, Miami's "other" football team...

When I lived down there, everyone was more interested in the Hurricanes.

18 posted on 11/22/2004 3:11:40 PM PST by Clemenza (Gabba Gabba Hey!)
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To: presidio9

dolphin bump


19 posted on 11/22/2004 4:39:34 PM PST by berkeleybeej
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To: presidio9

This whole scenario sounds "fishy" to me...


20 posted on 11/22/2004 5:45:16 PM PST by Iscool (Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of those who threaten it !!!)
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