US Strike Group ordered to Gulf

MrClean said:

I complety agree with you BD, in a normal situation no sort of hostile action could be taken against Iran without the need for multiple CSGs. But the US has a considerably large portion of it's air capability stationed throughout both Iraq and Afghanistan, which btw are both on the opposite borders of Iran. Isn't there enough air capability on Iran's boarders to conduct an air campaign without the need of multiple CSGs? And if not, could'nt more renforcements be called to active duty if need be?

Don't get me wrong, the US couldn't wage the 2 front war alone it would require another coalition of sorts like the first Gulf War. But it could and would be done if all diplomatic efforts failed, and it seems that the two pronged attack from either sides would be the most likely scenerio if military action is required.

Click to expand...

There is enough USAF/USMC/USN airborborne firepower in that region to make Iran a parking lot in no time flat. Any sort of ground attack is out of the question.

I do not want the US to take any military action against Iran unless..absolutley necessary.
If Iran is attacked you can expect them to retaliate in some manner. But I do not expect any attack anytime soon.

The "Ike" has arrived in the Red Sea The "turnover" of duty will now commence. And then the "Big E"(Enterprise) will sail on home to Norfolk.

Red Sea (Oct. 31, 2006) - The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), foreground, sails alongside the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) after arriving in the Red Sea to begin its deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. While in theater, Eisenhower will perform Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

bd popeye said:

An intresting development! The Kitty hawk just left Japan on a "routine deployment I find this intresting because the Kitty Hawk spent only 30 days in Japan after it's summer deployment in the WESPAC region.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

For related news, visit the USS Kitty Hawk Strike Group Navy NewsStand page at

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

.

Click to expand...

That carrier seldom stays in port for more than 30-45 days, that's why it's considered "especially ardious sea duty" to be stationed on it. But, this time it could be different- I wish this article was wrong, but unfortunately in some aspects it isn't...-

BLUEJACKET said:

That carrier seldom stays in port for more than 30-45 days, that's why it's considered "especially ardious sea duty" to be stationed on it. But, this time it could be different- I wish this article was wrong, but unfortunately in some aspects it isn't...-

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

When I was on the Midway in Japan we never spent longer that 21 days inport in Yokosuka. But that was back in '73 & '74..In recent times CV-63 has spent as long as 5 months in Yokosuka for yard work..Dec'05 'til May'06



I've been reading those type articles posted by BLUEJACKET as I have observed the "Ike" transit to the Gulf region. I do not think any moves to attack Iran are imminent. I just checked for the location of the "Hawk" and it is operating in the South China Sea. See the below link.



If CV-63 was near the Gulf region I would give an attack some thought. Besides a major US election is comming up in a week...

bd popeye said:

If CV-63 was near the Gulf region I would give an attack some thought. Besides a major US election is comming up in a week...

Click to expand...

That's precisely why I'm worried. I have this sinking feeling that Rove's "October surprise" would be either Osama Bin Laden delivered to the public, or an attack on Iran. (It's all about fear, people!)

Heaven knows how bad things would get if we actually attacked Iran. Gas prices definitely surging past $200 a barrel, shredding of any remaining credibility we have left in this world...

I hope that Popeye's right about this being merely a normal drill. Technical evidence supports this observation, but you never know...

The_Zergling said:

That's precisely why I'm worried. I have this sinking feeling that Rove's "October surprise" would be either Osama Bin Laden delivered to the public, or an attack on Iran. (It's all about fear, people!)

Heaven knows how bad things would get if we actually attacked Iran. Gas prices definitely surging past $200 a barrel, shredding of any remaining credibility we have left in this world...

I hope that Popeye's right about this being merely a normal drill. Technical evidence supports this observation, but you never know...

Click to expand...

Great observation "Z" Honestly I've been thinking along the same lines as your first statement.

I will pray and the rest of you keep your fingers crossed. That way all the bases are covered...

bd popeye said:

In recent times CV-63 has spent as long as 5 months in Yokosuka for yard work..Dec'05 'til May'06

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

I've been reading those type articles posted by BLUEJACKET as I have observed the "Ike" transit to the Gulf region. I do not think any moves to attack Iran are imminent. I just checked

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

for the location of the "Hawk" and it is operating in the South China Sea. See the below link.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

If CV-63 was near the Gulf region I would give an attack some thought. Besides a major US election is comming up in a week...

Click to expand...

The yard period is an exception, not the rule. When I was on CV-63, it took us less than a week to get from Guam to the Arabian Sea, so her current location isn't a good indicator, and in any case they may keep a carrier in W.Pac. to watch N.Korea situation.

Well this story here will put the "kibosh" on any attack on Iran..the USS Enterprise and her Strike Group is heading home...



Enterprise Strike Group Concludes Operations in 5th Fleet
Story Number: NNS061101-27
Release Date: 11/1/2006 4:11:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class (SW) Jen Crenshaw, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group, including Enterprise, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 successfully completed its second portion of operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations Nov. 1.

“After nearly two consecutive months of operations, Enterprise’s steadfast contribution to stability and security in the region is without question,” said Capt. Larry Rice, commanding officer of Enterprise. “For nearly 45 years, from the Cuban Missile Crisis, to Vietnam, to the first air operations in Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001, Enterprise has resolutely stood ‘ready on arrival.’ This deployment is no exception.”

More than 5,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group supported Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as conducted maritime security operations (MSO) in the region. Enterprise and CVW-1 provided air support to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and other coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Enterprise-based aircraft expended more than 120 weapons against Taliban extremists in Afghanistan since arriving on station in early September.

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

“The near-worldwide deployment of the Enterprise Strike Group, particularly our operations during the last two months in Afghanistan and Iraq, demonstrate the Navy’s unique ability to take the battle to our enemies while also strengthening relationships among our regional partners,” said Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, Enterprise Strike Group commander. “In addition to successful combat operations against those who would threaten peace and stability in the region, Sailors and Marines of the Enterprise Strike Group proved to be remarkable ambassadors in this vital area of the world.”

Enterprise hosted a number of distinguished visitors, including ISAF Air Component Commander, Air Commodore, Bryan Collins, Royal Air Force Air; Commander, Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa, Rear Adm. Richard W. Hunt; Minister of Defense for Yemen Staff, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Naser Ahmed; and a host of U.S. ambassadors and foreign dignitaries.

Sailors and Marines served as ambassadors during a visit to the port city of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 18-23. During the brief stop, crew members received some well-deserved rest and relaxation after two months of continuous combat operations. Sailors and Marines took advantage of sightseeing opportunities and shopping venues in the nearby city of Dubai.

The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (ENTSTKGRU) is comprised of CVW-1, DESRON 2, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise, the guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74), the guided-missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47), the fast-combat support ship USS Supply (T-AOE 6), and the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

The squadrons of CVW-1 include the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Checkmates” of VFA-211, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Thunderbolts” of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 251, the “Screwtops” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the “Rooks” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 137, the “Maulers” of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32, the “Rawhides” of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 40, and the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11.

Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet's area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water and includes the Persian Gulf, Persian Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse includes three critical chokepoints at the Suez Canal, the Straits of Hormuz, and the Straits of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at .

That doesn't mean much to me. Keeping that CSG there longer could tipoff the Iranians that "something was cooking". Like I noted already, even without carrier airwings, there is enough AF presence in the CENTCOM AOR + Guam, not to mention surface/submarine LCMs.

No one should think that just because the US has not invaded North Korea or used its air power to neutralize Kim Jong-il's nuclear facilities in the aftermath of his nuclear explosion of October 9 it would behave as passively toward Iran. While a "nuclear" North Korea gradually became an acceptable reality for the national-security community in Washington over the past few years, the idea of a "nuclear Iran" remains much more problematical, at least for the hawks in and around the Bush administration. They have ensured that the issue of Iran's nuclear program is never far removed from the radar of the American public, as well as the international community.

Click to expand...

Iran strives for self-sufficiency in conventional weapons

By Reuben Johnson

Recent exercises in Iran have shown that the country's industrial base and engineering workforce are capable of finding their own solutions to their nation's defence needs, despite the nearly three-decade embargo on spare parts from the US.
During the exercises, the Iranian-developed Saeqeh was displayed flying in active formation with IRIAF Northrop F-5s. The Iranian-designed and built aircraft is almost a carbon copy of the F-5. It uses the same J-85 engine as its propulsion system but has a twin, outwardly canted vertical tail similar to the Boeing F/A-18.
An even more curious development is a photo showing an IRIAF McDonnell-Douglas F-4 firing a missile that outwardly resembles the Russian-made Vympel R-33 (AA-9), which would also have required some modification to the aircraft's fire control system. The F-4 is also carrying what appears to be a Westinghouse ALQ-119 or -131 jamming pod. These pods were fitted for the F-4E model, 177 of which were delivered to the Shah's air force before his regime fell.
While the Saeqeh is a more than 90 per cent copy of the F-5, Iran's Malek Ashtar University of Technology in Tehran has been working for a number of years on a fighter design called the Shafaq. Billed as an "all Iranian" design, this project was advanced under the guise of being an educational exchange programme with Russia. More than 20 designers formerly employed at Mikoyan, Sukhoi and other companies were transferred to Tehran to develop the aircraft's planform and complete a full-up detailed design.
The Shafaq is a subsonic aircraft with an empty weight of around 5,000 kg, an overall length of about 14 m and a 12 m wingspan. It was designed primarily as an attack aircraft and is equipped with seven stores hardpoints - three beneath each wing and one beneath the aircraft's fuselage centreline. It will be powered by one Klimov RD-33 engine - not surprisingly the same powerplant that is in the MiG-29.

Click to expand...

Unbeatable militaries are like unsinkable ships. They are unsinkable until someone or something sinks them.

Click to expand...

That doesn't mean much to me. Keeping that CSG there longer could tipoff the Iranians that "something was cooking". Like I noted already, even without carrier airwings, there is enough AF presence in the CENTCOM AOR + Guam, not to mention surface/submarine LCMs.

Click to expand...

Ok Bluejacket. If you really think an attack on Iran is imminent just when will it occur? Describe the sceniro in which it would take place. Thanks!