Report: U.S., Israeli warships cross Suez Canal toward Red Sea

Haaretz ^

[jhpigott]

Egypt opposition angered at government for allowing the fleet of more than 12 ships to cross Egyptian manned waterway, Al-Quds Al-Arabi reports.

By Jack Khoury

More than twelve United States Naval warships and at least one Israeli ship crossed the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on Friday, British Arabic Language newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported Saturday.

According to the report, thousands of Egyptian soldiers were deployed along the Suez Canal guarding the ships' passage, which included a U.S. aircraft carrier.

The Suez Canal is a strategic Egyptian waterway which connects between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

According to eyewitnesses, the U.S. battleships were the largest to have crossed the Canal in many years, Al-Quds reported.

Egyptian opposition members have criticized the government for cooperating with the U.S. and Israeli forces and allowing the ships' passage through Egyptian territorial waters.

They said they viewed the event as Egyptian participation in an international scandal, and added that the opposition would not sit with its arms crossed while the country allowed a fleet of U.S. and Israeli military ships to cross.

[whence911]

I’ll second that. Jerusalem is truly awe inspiring from politics to culture to religion to history and everything in between. Have had similar feelings at Gettysburg and Appomatix court house and a few places in DC and Boston, but Jerusalem was around about a 1,000 years before Rome and that’s saying something.

[MarineMom613]

My son may very well be on one of those ships. Prayers...
I worry so much. He knows and he don’t tell me things for months,years. LOL, He said he loves me and don’t want me worrying. I still worry when he crosses the street!

[popdonnelly]

The Suez Canal is wider than I thought. Or aircraft carriers are narrower.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I would love to see Big Mo fitted with dual nuclear reactors and the rear turret replaced with a rail gun using EMP acceleration.

[AnnCee]

Report: US battleships cross Suez Canal

According to Al-Quds al-Arabi report, 11 American warships, one Israeli vessel, crossed Suez Canal into Red Sea. Roee Nahmias

Eleven American battleships and an Israeli one crossed the Suez Canal Friday en route to the Red Sea, the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper reported.

According to the report, traffic in the canal was halted for several hours in order to allow US Navy vessels, which included an aircraft carrier and carried infantry troops, armored vehicles and ammunition, to pass from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.

It was further reported that eyewitnesses detected an Israeli warship among the vessels. No confirmation has been received from Egyptian authorities.

The report also noted that fishing activities in the area were stopped during the ships' passage as well as traffic on the bridges above the canal.

Retired Egyptian General Amin Radi, chairman of the national security affairs committee, told the paper that "the decision to declare war on Iran is not easy, and Israel, due to its wild nature, may start a war just to remain the sole nuclear power in the region. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3907387,00.html

[Salem]

"I worry so much...."

I remember when my best friend finally returned from serving in Operation Desert Storm in the 90's. We were discussing how his family and I were worried from time to time with the particular dangers the Marines were facing in that campaign. I still recalled how he looked at me a little askance and said, "Danger? We weren't in any danger."

He was serious. He went on to detail some of the POW's they were interrogating had been briefed by their superiors that if they were to go up against or be captured by the Marines, they could anticipate the most horrible demise; a Marine "mythology" we Americans know as historical fact spun into an almost mythical reputation of ferocity by these Iraqi commanders to "prepare" their men.

Of course these superiors were trying to instill some type of will to fight in their men, but it ended up backfiring because once the Iraqis made contact with Marine units, they simply gave up. Part and parcel of the massive surrenders during the war. They were scared to death of the Marines. Fascinating, really.

Point being, your son, perhaps in your mind still that little kid you raised, now rolling with his buds, are all together some very, very scary dudes whose reputation precedes them globally, thanks to every other Marine who has gone before them. The deterrence they represent in the international arena is invaluable.

I know you are going to fret anyway, but when your son says don't worry about him, he's certainly not being whimsical.   

"Hell these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal and took Iwo Jima, Baghdad ain't shit." - Major General John F. Kelly to a reporter who asked him if he ever contemplated defeat

Major General John F. Kelly (USMC Photo)

[Islander7]

Nope, not the Big Mo. It is still anchored in Pearl. I see it nearly every day.

I never tire of that sight either.

[oneolcop]

What's with the "marine mystique" If they're so bad @ss, why didn't they beat the Army to Baghdad?

For the record, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions 69th Armor of the 3rd Infantry Division -Army made the famous "thunder run" into Baghdad.

"The Marines win battles, the Army wins wars" -James Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

[tanknetter]

I very much doubt that there is an American battleship commissioned and in service.

Dispositions of all existing US Battleships.

ex-USS Texas: rusting away at the San Jacinto Battlefield, fund-raising underway to save her via dry-berthing.

ex-USS North Carolina: on display (in good condition) in Wilmington NC

ex-USS Massachusetts: on display (in fair condition) in Fall River MA

ex-USS Alabama: on display (in fair condition) in Mobile AL

ex-USS Iowa: rusting away in the Suisin Bay Reserve Fleet, CA. Looking for a good home

ex-USS New Jersey: on display (in fair/good condition and improving) in Camden NJ

ex-USS Missouri: on display (in excellent condition) in Pearl Harbor, HI

ex-USS Wisconsin: on display (in good condition, although interior remains sealed) in Norfolk, VA.

There's also the Armored Cruiser ex-USS Olympia, which predates pre-dreadnoughts (and therefore the term "Battleship), which is rusting to pieces in Philadelphia PA - having now been pretty much abandoned by her caretakers.

[tanknetter]

Correction to the above: ex-USS Texas IS on display. Rusting/Dry-berthing still apply.

[Think free or die]

" ...you should try Jerusalem some time."

I would love to visit the Holy Land - once we have adults back in charge of foreign policy and things calm down again.

[fini]

Probably because the Marines were assigned to go through the middle of the country (urban areas) and and the Army was assigned to go through the desert.

[Think free or die]

"There's also the Armored Cruiser ex-USS Olympia, which predates pre-dreadnoughts (and therefore the term "Battleship), which is rusting to pieces in Philadelphia PA - having now been pretty much abandoned by her caretakers. "

I'm sorry to hear this. We visited her numerous times over the years, but haven't been there recently. Is she owned by the Seaport Museum?

[tanknetter]

I'm sorry to hear this. We visited her numerous times over the years, but haven't been there recently. Is she owned by the Seaport Museum?

For the moment, yes. But they're going to relinquish ownership apparently later this year.

[bushpilot1]

Can recall the USS Missouri transiting the Suez prior to the Gulf War. Was assigned to a US Embassy along route when in the Army. The message traffic kept me busy sending and receiving flash and immediate messages.

The French government was not helpful providing “logistics support”.

There are missile batteries along the route.

[bushpilot1]

Was involved in the resupply of a carrier transiting the Suez in the early 90’s.

[DoughtyOne]

Oh how that just breaks my heart. /s

Okay Turkey, your move.

Egypt knows which side it’s bread is buttered on.

I am having a hard time who gave the direct orders for this. It’s almost impossible for me to think Il Douche’ Jr. signed off on it.

[Victor]

"....We spent about an hour on the various decks and inside the battleship. The control room with ancient round radar screens complimented by computerized missile launching equipment was stunning......"

Totally agree. There are some very high tech weapons systems aboard the Missouri; our guide stated that she is kept at a "certain state of readiness" whereby she could actually be deployed for battle very quickly. This is not a mothballed ship in the traditional sense. Her engines, systems and guns are ready to go....

[bushpilot1]

correction the battleship was the USS Wisconsin, not the USS Missouri.

[ErnBatavia]

Hope you got to also tour the USS Bowfin museum and sub....too bad it’s overlooked by most visitors to Pearl; literally just across the parking lot.