I too have totally lost all confidence in Bush and I have no faith that anything will be done in time to stop some real damage to the Earth.
Every day this book's premise seems to become more and more real to me
Posted on 06/21/2007 5:16:59 AM PDT by jhpigott
According to DEBKAfile’s military sources, the US naval build-up off the shores of Iran marks rising military tensions in the region, accentuated by last week’s Hamas victory which has endowed Iran with a military foothold on Israel’s southwestern border.
The USS Enterprise CVN 65-Big E Strike Group, the US Navy’s largest air carrier, will join the USS Stennis and the USS Nimitz carriers, building up the largest sea, air, marine concentration the United States has ever deployed opposite Iran. This goes towards making good on the assurances of four carriers US Vice President Dick Cheney offered the Gulf and Middle East nations during his May tour of the region.
The “Big E” leads a strike group consisting of the guided-missile destroyers USS Arleigh Burke DDG 51, USS Stout DDG 55, Forrest Sherman DDG 98 and USS James E. Williams DDG 95, as well as the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg CG 64, the SS Philadelphia SSN 690 nuclear submarine and the USNS Supply T-AOE 6>
On its decks are the Carrier Air Wing CVW 1, whose pilots fought combat missions in the Gulf and Arabian Sea during 2006. The Air Wing is made up of F/Q-18 Super Hornet strike craft, the Sidewinders Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-86, the 251st Marine Fighter Attack Squadron MFA, and the Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ 137.
The 32nd Sea Control Squadron VS consists of S-3B Vikings. The Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAQ 3 flies E-2C Hawkeye craft. The Fleet Logistics Support Squadron VRC is based on C-2A Greyhounds.
DEBKAfile’s military sources report Washington is considering deploying the fourth US carrier for the region in the Red Sea opposite Saudi Arabian western coast to secure the three US carriers in the Gulf from the rear as well as the Gulf of Aqaba and Suez Canal.
i just saw on another board where Enterprise is still in port at Norfolk. Can anyone else confirm that? I know there is a site that lists current US Navy deployments, i just can’t find it.
In defense of Debka, the article does say the Enterprise will be joining Stennis and Nimitz
Thank you and yours for your service!
You are “misunderestimating” the President when it comes to protecting the U.S.
Given what is going on on the southern border, having seen it with my own eyes, I don't think so. Couple that with all the blunders in Iraq and Afghanistan, the failures in intelligence and the utter mismanagement of the media, I really, really don't think so.
It is extremely painful to hear conservatives undercutting the CIC.
It is extremely painful for this conservative to sit and watch a POTUS I voted for TWICE as he wanders aimlessly as if he has no direction. He claims to be a conservative, but picks and chooses where he wishes to act like a conservative.
There is nothing conservative about leaving our southern border wide open in an age of suitcase nukes. There is nothing conservative about leaving said southern border wide open when a few million radical Muslims with a 7th century mentality who are desperately trying to gather that nuclear technology and use it against us because they believe it is their divine duty to kill every last American, including you and me. It is on this basis that I have lost confidence in him as CIC.
I applaud you and your family and all of our military for your service to our country. However, George W. Bush of late bears a striking resemblance to General McClellan in the Civil War. Then as now, it's obvious what needs to be done, but the man in charge just refuses to do it and that, my FRiend is not a conservative trait in any way.....
Of course, from a coldly cynical perspective, a limited attack on certain Iranian assets, or perhaps a blockade, would be a convenient and effective way to shift public attention and media focus from the impending domestic explosion over the illegal amnesty issue. During the distraction provided by this, Bush and the Congress could quietly ram through the legislation they desire.
“The Big E is big alright, but it’s not the largest carrier in the fleet - is it?”
Its clearly on par with the Nimitz class. The Nimitz carriers have a little more tonnage, but end to end, the Enterprise is the longest warship in the world.
Prior to these ‘signs’ the president named a naval aviator to coordinate the Middle East war efforts, Admiral Fallon.
Just wondering if the guided missile cruiser Gettysburg is like the cruiser Long Beach (now scrapped.)
Bush is waiting, patiently, to retire.
Not going to happen under GWB’s watch. He has nothing to gain, personally.
Yeah, and throw every one of those players together and I could send the Florida Coast Guard units along with the Pukin Dogs there to end that problem.
Tenth part of a fleabite to 3 carrier groups, but if the intent is to project a show of overwhelming force, then okay.
The President knows this, Americans have chosen “stability” rather than a fight.
- You got that right. It’s just a short step away from The Onion in terms of accuracy. Having said that, I must admit that the Iranian backed Hamas success in Gaza has gotten Israel spooked which has led to some speculation that it might try a surprise attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. If true, it might account for a US buildup in the region.
You have a link?
BRING IT ON !
yea, this whole situation with Hamas taking over Gaza may push things closer to the edge in the Middle East.
Just announced this morning that Egypt is hosting a peace conference with Israel, Palestinians (Abbas and co.) and Jordan, with the intent to isolate Hamas. Given enough support, particularly from Arabs, Israel may decide to go on the offensive in Gaza. In fact, the new defense minister, Barak has already hinted the an offensive is being planned (something like 3 divisions of IDF).
If the IDF goes into Gaza full force, it may force the hands of Syria and Iran (Hamas sponsors), which could lead to a showdown. There are some similarities with last summers war against Hizbullah. It was only after the IDF went on the offensive against Hamas to retrieve Shilat that Hizbullah sprung into action, thus kicking off the war. History repeats itself . . .
The problem with Iranians is they’re sooooo paranoid. They’ll be watching for changes. I hope our guys know that... Then again, they could be “played” - do the things that look like an attack - when it’s not - cry wolf enough and they might not notice the real thing.
I have absolutely no confidence that anyone in Washington has the leadership ability or even basic intelligence to attack Iran.
I mean, Jesus,... why hasn’t it been done already!! Why are they waiting for it to be too late. Why are they allowing terrorists to position themselves in our cities for the response, and train and drill.
Every day we waste masturbating only guarantees more of us are going to die.
I laugh at the idiots on here who talk all big brave like “attacking a carrier will get a stragetic response”..
Well whopty do.. i work in downtown chicago and will probably will die in reprisal attack that was allowed to happened because this thing has been delayed for years.
Grain of salt, but no outright denial.
Per navy.mil:
Washington’s ready, and I show her next up, due to deploy this month, to the Med.
Enterprise is also ready, had a shakedown cruise last month that reportedly went well.
I count Debka as one half of one reliable source.
Since once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, and three times is enemy action, (but I like to lean forward on “two”) we need one and a half more reliable sources to “lean” and two point five to be sure.
Given the mess in Gaza, the simmer in Lebanon, the unreported tangles around Amarah, and the offensive in Baqubah, it’s a good idea to say on our toes anyway.
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