Posted on 01/07/2008 10:57:11 AM PST by topher
Three U.S. Navy Ships Approached by Iranian Boats
Story Number: NNS080107-05
Release Date: 1/7/2008 11:41:00 AM
From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central
Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
BAHRAIN (NNS) -- Following a routine transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Jan. 6, three U.S. Navy ships operating in international waters in the Persian Gulf were approached by five Iranian small boats that demonstrated irresponsible confrontational behavior near the U.S. ships.
U.S. Navy ships USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS Ingraham (FFG 61) were steaming in formation at approximately 8 a.m. as they finished a routine Strait of Hormuz transit when five boats, suspected to be from the Islamic Republic of Iran Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGCN), maneuvered aggressively in close proximity of the Hopper. Following standard procedure, Hopper issued warnings, attempted to establish communications with the small boats and conducted evasive maneuvering.
Coalition vessels, including U.S. Navy ships, routinely operate in the vicinity of both Islamic Republic of Iran Navy and IRGCN vessels and aircraft. These interactions are always correct on the U.S. part and reflect a commitment to accepted tenets of international law and common practice.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
Sink ‘em!
This was a test. The Iranians turned tail at our resolve.
Couple F-18s down in Gulf.
This is the news from the sources -- the US Navy official website...
Shot down?
USS Truman is operating in the Gulf...
This may not be good...
Don’t know. Stay tuned.
Launches from Aircraft Carriers are the most risky type of launch of military aircraft.
However, the fact that two went down is very omnious...
Not related they say. But bomb em anyway.
Note: Very high resolution... May take time to load...
http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/080106-N-5758H-274.jpg
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34181
Search for Missing USS Hopper Sailor Concludes
Story Number: NNS080104-04
Release Date: 1/4/2008 7:57:00 AM
From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ 5th Fleet Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The search to locate a Sailor discovered missing from USS Hopper (DDG 70) was called off at 2:05 p.m. local time after 30 hours of extensive searching.
The Sailor was reported missing Jan. 3 at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time while Hopper was conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Arabian Sea.
A "man overboard" was immediately called and air and surface forces from the Hopper, USS Port Royal (CG-73) and USS Ingraham (FFG-61) began conducting Search and Rescue operations in the Arabian Sea.
The Sailor was last seen at approximately 4:30 a.m. Jan. 3.
The name of the Sailor is being withheld.
No further details are immediately available.
Hopper is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of MSO.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit...
In searching for the missing sailor, it may possibly provoke Iran into a response (i.e., intense military ops off their coast)...
The battle flag of the UUS Ingraham is a leather skirt and a leopard print top, one size too small.
USS Hopper DDG 70: 
USS Ingraham FFG 61: %3B10.jpg)
One of the world’s hot corners.
Great pix. And now the Iranians are saying they “didn’t recognize” it as a US ship? Yeah, right.
That's a good point - it seems as as if the two collided, so you're probably right.
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