US 'deploys nuclear sub to Persian Gulf' (lots of activity)

Press TV ^

[maquiladora]

An American nuclear submarine has crossed the Suez Canal to join the US fleet stationed in the Persian Gulf, Egyptian sources say.

Egyptian officials reported that the nuclear submarine crossed the canal along with a destroyer on Friday and Egyptian forces were put on high alert when the navy convoy was passing through the canal.

An American destroyer recently left the Persian Gulf, heading towards the Mediterranean Sea; earlier Thursday, a US Navy rescue ship crossed the canal to enter the Red Sea.

The deployment comes as recent reports allege that US Vice President Dick Cheney is seeking to rally the support of Middle Eastern states for launching an attack on Iran.

This is while US officials deny that Cheney's Mideast tour is linked to a possible military attack on Iran.

According to the latest reports, in recent months a major part of the US Navy has been deployed in and around the Persian Gulf.

The fleet is armed with nuclear weapons and cruise missiles and carries hundreds of aircraft and rapid reaction forces.

[maquiladora]

5th Fleet Focus: Order of Battle

(Saturday, March 22, 2008)

Order of Battle in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

The Truman Carrier Strike Group

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

USS San Jacinto (CG 56) - 6th Fleet

USS Hue City (CG 66)

USS Carney (DDG 64)

USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79)

USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81)

HMS Manchester (D95)

HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339)

USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8)

USS Montpelier (SSN 765)

Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group

USS Tarawa (LHA 1)

USS Cleveland (LPD 7)

USS Germantown (LSD 42)

USS Port Royal (CG 73)

USS Hopper (DDG 70)

USS Ingraham (FFG 61)

Orion 08 Strike Group

HMS Illustrious (R06)

HMS Edinburgh (D97)

HMS Westminster (F237)

HMS Trafalgar (S107)

HMS Atherstone (M38)

HMS Chiddingfold (M37)

USS Cole (DDG 67)

FS Jean Bart (D615)

FS Surcouf (F 711)

SPS Mendez Nunez (F104)

In Theater

Ocean 6

FGS Emden (F 210)

HNLMS Evertsen (F 805)

HDMS Thetis (F357)

ITS Commandante Borsini (P491)

FS Guepratte (F714)

FS Commandant Bouan (F797)

USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41)

HMS Campbeltown (F86)

HMS Argyll (F231)

HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)

USS Scout (MCM 8)

USS Gladiator (MCM 11)

USS Ardent (MCM 12)

USS Dexterous (MCM 13)

HMS Ramsay (M 110)

HMS Blyth (M 111)

(All open source information)

[kjo]

Nothing will be done about Iran until one or more US cities are taken out by nuclear explosions. Even then, the Dems will demand “proof” that Iran was involved.

[maquiladora]

ping...

[Cap Huff]

ping

[mc5cents]

Message to Iran:

[Porterville]

Yee ha!!! One last party for the Old Guard!!!

[Joiseydude]

Nothing will be done about Iran until one or more US cities are taken out by nuclear explosions. Even then, the Dems will demand “proof” that Iran was involved.

________________________________________________

And even then there will be some who say that the US government was responsible for the nuclear detonation.

[trisham]

4. Just point at what you want dead.

Heh. You gotta love them all, but this one speaks to me. :)

[VRWC For Truth]

I just soiled mah panties.

[txhurl]

ping

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I wonder if the explanation isn’t as simple as: Cheney is in the mideast. Some terrorist wackjob would love to take the VP out. In the unlikely event an attack is made on Cheney, we want the fleet ready to go to a war posture.

[BIGLOOK]

[Eurale]

They’re all nuclear submarines - unless we still have some diesels in active service.

[pt17]

Posturing: Advertising by those who plan to do nothing.

[mc5cents]

I like #8: “Often mistaken for the wrath of God.”

[mathluv]

fyi

[G Larry]

Ha!
I work with retired GIs who actually believe the U.S. should accept 1 or 2 nuclear strikes on MAJOR U.S. CITIES, without retaliating with a nuclear response.

Without knowing my background they try to tell me that “You don’t understand what a nuclear exchange would be like.”

They’re a little surprised when I tell them FU! I was in Nuclear Weapons training at the age of 17!

[Army Air Corps]

I noticed that the attack boat HMS Trafalgar is in the Tarawa’s group. Small but effective SSN.

[Army Air Corps]

I noticed that the attack boat HMS Trafalgar is in the Tarawa’s group. Small but effective SSN.

[Pride in the USA]

It does give you pause to consider the delicious possibilities: it could be a show of strength and a very covert warning to Iran or it could be a prelude to a US led attack. I like both possibilites.