US warship docks in Georgia port

BBC ^ | Sunday August 24 2008

[Ramzi Al Kaboom]

Us warship arrives in Georgia

[poobear]

Now that’s one heck of a repo mission!

[freeplancer]

Yeah, and the ability to re-supply low boats

[aomagrat]

As a retired US Navy enlisted man, all I can say is, What time is liberty call?

[mkjessup]

"Loose Lips Sink Ships"

Anyone who is in the know should keep quiet, some of us hear things that are better kept unposted.

Just a FRiendly reminder.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Guard Missile Cruiser Moskva (as of 2007 flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, No.121, built in 1983)

Large ASW Destroyer Kerch (No.713, built in 1974)

Large ASW Destroyer Smetlivy (No.810, built in 1966)

Large Landing Ship Nikolay Filchenkov (No.152, built in 1975)

Large Landing Ship Saratov (No.150, built in 1966)

Large Landing Ship Novocherkassk (No.142)

Thats pretty much it for the black sea fleet. One cruiser and two destroyers. And the cruiser Moskva was reported to have taken some damage by the Georgian Navy and was last seen limping into Sevastopol harbor which is where that picture was taken.

[Alia]

This is more than humanitarian mission for sure.

I'm not so sure about that. These Gorgeous Babies are capable of a great deal - I used to liken these to traveling Islands, replete with everything a "civilization" would need. Estonia has sent cyber experts to Georgia to repair and make ready communication links; This Gorgeous Baby is able to carry multiple lines via link and to transmit. Meaning, in addition to food, medical supplies -- the ability of Georgians to communicate with each other and outside of Georgia.

This is vital humanitarian aide.

Lives can be saved just through communication. And the need to ensure that said "communication" isn't halted, disrupted, infected by any with an aggressive bent.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Nice to know that it can provide additional help.
On the other hand, it is quite likely that Russia would interpret its presence differently.

[maquiladora]

So it docked in Batumi.

Earlier reports suggested it was heading for Poti, which is still under Russian control.

Did we chicken out to avoid an incident with the Russians in Poti?

[penelopesire]

“Time for the Russians to sober up. Hope they enjoyed their night out.”

At least until they get their man Obama in office next January...(eye roll).

[Alia]

True. Russia is paranoid.

[Lasha]

Russians are not in control of Poti; there is small block at the exit of the city and another one on the middle of the field; They claim to want to check what humanitarian assistance will be brought in, but I do not see that happening at all. Technically there are two ports in Poti - one military, which was first attacked and then completely looted by Russians, even removing toilet seats. Another is civil port, which sustains relatively small damage from what I know. The two are literally side by side, but have separate entrances. I have talks with one of the fireghtforwarder in Georgia who said that port is operational, but because Russians were blocking it until Friday the port has been filled up completely with incoming cargo; it may be the reason for “diverting” the ship to Batumi - they simply cannot appear to be able to unload any more cargo there. It is expected that they will start moving stuff out on Sunday / Monday... let's see what happens

[maquiladora]

Thanks for the update.

Just saw this on a blog :

‘Forest is on fire in the surroundings of village Gldani on the outskirts of Tbilisi.’

[Wiz]

I hate when definitions change from age to age. We've got different definitions for tanks, and different definitions for ships. Should I throw out my dictionary out the window?

[cake_crumb]

The Bush administration knows how to be subtle, I’ll give them that. There’s a lot more to this story.

[MEG33]

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39246

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — Two U.S. Navy ships and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter are getting underway to transport humanitarian relief supplies to Georgia. These deployments are part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance.

USS McFaul (DDG 74) departed from Souda Bay, Crete, Aug. 20, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) will leave later this week. McFaul and Dallas are scheduled to transit into the Black Sea and arrive in Georgia within a week.

USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) is currently on loading humanitarian relief materials in her homeport of Gaeta, Italy, and will proceed to Georgia later this month.
The ships will deliver thousands of blankets, hygiene kits, baby food and infant care supplies to save lives and alleviate human suffering.snip

[Lasha]

thanks maquiladora - at least one hour ago nothing was broadcast on this incident on our TV channels. I will try to look for this and will update you, if this is of any importance...

in the meantime: http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.php?id_news=27588&pg=1&im=main&ct=0&wth=

[TigerLikesRooster]

USS McFaul delivers aid to Georgia

Release Date: Aug 24, 2008

BAT'UMI, Republic of Georgia — US Navy destroyer, USS McFaul (DDG 74) pulled into port here today delivering humanitarian relief supplies to the country as part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance.

This represents the first U.S. Navy ship to arrive and deliver humanitarian assistance to Georgia.

“Our job was to get the supplies to Georgia as quickly as possible,” said Navy Capt. John Moore, Commodore of Combined Task Force 367. “The entire crew of this ship realizes the significance of their efforts in helping to provide comfort to the people of Georgia.”

McFaul delivered 82 pallets with about 155,000 pounds of supplies donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including hygiene items, baby food and care supplies, bottled water, and milk. Ships can carry much more cargo per mission than aircraft, which have a capacity of three to 12 pallets per sortie.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) and USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) have also on-loaded humanitarian supplies destined for Georgia. Dallas left Souda Bay, Crete on Thursday with more than 76,000 pounds of relief supplies and will arrive in Georgia within a week. U.S. Navy C-9, C-40 and C-130 aircraft have flown tens of thousands of hygiene kits into the country over the past week.

McFaul, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is home ported in Norfolk, Va., and is on a regularly scheduled deployment in the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility.

url = http://www.eucom.mil/english/FullStory.asp?art=1805

[cake_crumb]

"On the other hand, it is quite likely that Russia would interpret its presence differently."

Russia interprets everything differently. On purpose.

[cake_crumb]

Thank you for the info. There’s nothing but Obama being broadcast in the US.