Posted on 01/28/2012 3:49:44 PM PST by blam
This New Commando 'Mothership' Is Being Rushed To The Middle East
Robert Johnson
January 28, 2012
The Pentagon is wasting no time in modifying its forces to meet the needs of a more specialized and commando-based military.
The Washington Post reports the Pentagon is fast-tracking the conversion of the 1960s warship USS Ponce to use as a "commando mothership" base for special forces teams in the Middle East.
The re-christened Ponce will hold small Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (Zodiac style boats), and helicopters routinely employed by the SEAL teams that are now becoming famous for their successful clandestine operations.
The news broke through Pentagon procurement documents, and though the Navy has refused to announce where the Ponce will be stationed, military paperwork suggest it will sail the Persian Gulf.
The fact that further documentation says the ship will "support mine countermeasure missions" fuels speculation that the Ponce will be used in the Strait of Hormuz should Iran follow through on its threats to try and shutter the waterway.
The commissioning of this new Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) could signal a return for the SEALs to maritime-focused missions after spending the last decade immersing themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ponce will serve along with another AFSB previously stationed in the Gulf, the USS Cleveland.
While the Pentagon is wasting no time in getting the SEALs, and the Ponce, to wherever they're going, Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby told FOX News that he denied the Post's claim that they were "moving with unusual haste" in refitting the Ponce.
"While this work is being done in an expeditious fashion," Kirby said, it is not accurate to surmise that this signals a rush to meet some urgent combat requirement."
The Navy SEALs were used this week to recover two
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Too few details about the topic of the article: The Ship.
Man, I’d love to get behind the wheel of that thing.
No doubt a very detailed report has been drafted and sent by Certified Mail to the enemy, just in case they missed the news stories.
“””””While this work is being done in an expeditious fashion,” Kirby said, it is not accurate to surmise that this signals a rush to meet some urgent combat requirement.”””
I wouldn’t put it past O’Dumber to start a war to get reelected. Hope he does not.
MI/SOCOM Ping
Thanks Bill!
Guess leaving at any point in our lifetimes is out of the question.
LOL. I don't have that much 'lifetime' left anyway.
Seems like it would be a lot cheaper to surround Israel with a defensive ring of steel and let the rest of the world fight it out in the mideast.
The hatch can be opened to reveal a dock for operations.
Ordinarily AAV's launch from the dock, but it sounds like Ponce is being equipped with zodiacs (and probably some stuff they aren't telling us about).
Flight deck operations take place on the rear deck.
The article is incorrect. Ponce was commissioned in 1971, the last vessel of her class.
Normally each of these 10 or so ships will carry a SEAL unit AND an entire Marine Battalion Landing team.
Don't underestimate those guys. Everyone one of them is a rifleman first, and everyone of them will kill or die. They prefer killing.
The ship and it's battle group is capable of sustaining 1,800 fighting men...30 helicopters...a few dozens fighting vehicles...artillery etc. ashore for 30 days without reinforcement. With a Carrier Battle Group nearby it's a formidable assault force especially if you consider we can put 3 of them pretty much anywhere.
Hell, as old as that beeyotch is it would take her 6 months just to reach the operating area....I served on the USS LASALLE.
The bottom holds of those ships are full of supplies. Bullets, bandages, food, and water. Fuel is kept in reserve as well.
Many thanks for the information about USS Ponce.
Mostly fuel, they are old and inefficient steam plants. Ride like a bathtub in heavy seas......flatbottomedslowrustbucketbitches
Take one of teh recently decommed LHAs and convert it, more room, more capacity. the USS LASALLE had to weld office space into the well deck to accommodate the SIXTHFLT staff.
Your welcome.
Just in case some people try to block the straight of Hormuz—best to be ready.
Support the Resistance! “V” for Victory over the Reptile RINOS.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
