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.
Yep, they taste just like Chicken of the Sea.
Damn! Well at least they're good for SOMEthing. They sure are worthless on the gridiron.
Yep, I like "tuna-free" dolphin, myself.
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.
Somehow the thought of dolphins training in the armed forces reminds me of that Simpsons episode.
Go flipper!!!!
What happended to the Mark 1 through 5 dolphins????
This pleases Don Knotts.
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?
LOL!!
LOL! I love you.
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
Mark 6 Dolphin. I like that...
LOL! Mr. Limpet!
Somebody notify PETA!!!!!
When I lived down there, everyone was more interested in the Hurricanes.
dolphin bump
This whole scenario sounds "fishy" to me...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.