Aircraft Carrier Enterprise Sets Off On Final Journey - Direction Iran

Zero Hedge ^ | March 11, 2012 | Tyler Durden

[Fennie]

Today, at noon Eastern, the storied aircraft carrier Enterprise, aka CVN-65, left its home port of Naval Station Norfolk one final time for its final voyage with a heading: Arabian Sea, aka Iran.

There in a week it will join CVN 72 Lincoln and CVN 70 Vinson, as well as LHD 8 Makin Island, all of which are supporting any potential escalation of "hostilities" in the Persian Gulf region.

[BenLurkin]

I remembering hearing somewhere that one is to never refer to a ship's "final voyage" as it sets sail.

[RitchieAprile]

one would think that would be obvious..

[Joe the Pimpernel]

Is a ship the size the USS Enterprise vulnerable to the type of swarm attack used against the USS Cole?

[GonzoGOP]

It isn't her final voyage until she flys her paying-off pennant. Until then she is just a ship in commission. As needs of the fleet, you know things like a shooting war with Iran, can always extend the term of service.

[SouthTexas]

How about Last Lap.

[Truth29]

All the emphasis on this being the Enterprise’s final voyage is a bit disquieting as it sails for the Persian Gulf. I hope Dear Leader is not thinking about anything that might help him politically vs. what is good for the sailors, troops and the US.

[BenLurkin]

bttt

[FroggyTheGremlim]

[GonzoGOP]

Is a ship the size the USS Enterprise vulnerable to the type of swarm attack used against the USS Cole?

Unlike the USS Cole, the USS Enterprise has belt armor so you would need a much larger bomb. Bigger the bomb, harder it is to get close. Which brings up the most important difference. USS Cole was anchored in a supposedly friendly port. They didn't think anything of a small boat in the harbor until it literally bumped into them. With a ship, under way, at sea, surrounded by escorts, it would be a much harder task. The minute you penetrated the screen the CIWS and 25mm mounts on the escorts and the carrier itself are going to engage the targets.

So in summary, possible, but unlikely as heck. If they come within range of the land based launchers a swarm of cruise missiles could overwhelm the defenses. But that leaves finger prints. So you get to do that once and then you have a real all out shooting war. Even if you are successful there are those two other CV battle groups. Each of which has an air wing that could take on Iran's air force by itself.

[Norm Lenhart]

IMO FWIW YMMV ETC...

The only boost I can imagine him getting from a war with Iran is a negative one. After the recent Afghanistan events, even those of us that WANT to see Iran glassed know that if he attacks them it will not be anything but token. and his ROEs will be the same crap that make us madder by the death.

His base will freak, so I just see no political upside. No one will rally round the CIC with this CIC. They haven’t in the past 2 wars or Libya. They won’t now.

[brownsfan]

Anything that has to do with “Enterprise” in America will be shut down with the coming of Obama’s second term.

It all seems fitting, in a very sad sort of way.

[Joe the Pimpernel]

Thanks!

[Norm Lenhart]

He’ll sell it to an Asian company rather than scarp it so more private Enterprise will be moved off-shore to other countries.

[GraceG]

Maybe Obama will “De-commision” it by handing it over to the Iranians?

[al_c]

[RitchieAprile]

remind me why the nuclear powered cruisers were decommisioned...

[ngat]

Here’s a few things to consider. The last time we were in a real all out shooting war with Iran in the Persian Gulf (the tanker war) the Navy “was still insisting it couldn’t put its carriers in the constricted waters of the gulf.” (Schwartzkopf). The Iranians were firing cruise missiles at ships in the gulf, as well as sowing mines. Those underground bunkers that we are not sure our bunker-busters could bust, could be shielding weapons other than nukes as well. Just a few things to think about.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Fennie.

[al_c]

remind me why the nuclear powered cruisers were decommisioned...

Maybe the gubmint wants GM Volt powered cruisers. Or maybe solar. I don't know ........