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A U.S. coastal patrol ship faced seven Iranian Republican Guard Corps Navy fast in-shore attack craft before swerving to avoid crashing into one on Sunday, according to a 5th Fleet spokesman. The incident is the latest in a series of interactions the Navy has called "dangerous and unprofessional" in a year that has seen more run-ins between U.S. and Iranian ships than in recent memory. Iranian vessels harassed destroyers and PCs in four incidents in late August, resulting in warning shots in one case.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship changed course after a fast-attack craft from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps came within 100 yards (91 meters) of it in the central Gulf on Sunday, two U.S. Defense Department officials told Reuters on Tuesday. It was at least the fourth such incident in less than a month. U.S. officials are concerned that these actions by Iran could lead to mistakes. Years of mutual animosity eased when Washington lifted sanctions on Tehran in January after a deal to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions. But serious differences still remain over Iran's ballistic missile...

A U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship changed course after a fast-attack craft from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps came within 100 yards (91 meters) of it in the central Gulf on Sunday, two U.S. Defense Department officials told Reuters on Tuesday. It was at least the fourth such incident in less than a month. U.S. officials are concerned that these actions by Iran could lead to mistakes.

A U.S. Navy patrol coastal ship was harassed by seven Iranian vessels on Sunday and narrowly avoided colliding with one, in the latest in a string of incidents in the Persian Gulf. Seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast in-shore attack craft (FIAC) approached USS Firebolt (PC-10) while it was operating in international waters in the central Persian Gulf on Sept. 4, a defense official told USNI News. Three of the FIACs maneuvered close to Firebolt, mirroring the ship’s course and speed at a distance of about 500 yards for about eight minutes before leaving. Another FIAC then sped...

...One of the small Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps watercraft stopped directly in the USS Firebolt’s path where it turned to face the American coastal patrol ship, said U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman. After several attempts at radio communication, the Firebolt was forced to maneuver to avoid a collision. The American ship came within about 100 yards of the boat...

An Iraqi Sailor looks on from the pier as USS Firebolt transits the Khawr Abd Allah River towards the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. As part of Iraq Navy Day celebrations, Firebolt made a port visit to Umm Qasr, Iraq, Aug. 13, marking the first visit by a U.S. ship to Iraq in more than 15 months. Photo by Lt. Nathan Christensen. UMM QASR — As part of Iraq Navy Day celebrations, USS Firebolt made a port visit to Umm Qasr, Iraq, Aug. 13, marking the first visit by a U.S. ship to Iraq in more than 15 months. “Our...

Rochester sailor killed in boat attack ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) Although they hadn't seen each other for almost three years, Navy Petty Officer Michael Pernaselli and his elder brother, John, an Army captain, never passed up a chance to rib each other about their military career choices. ''It was a big joke between the two of them as to who was the better, the Navy or the Army. Always a big joke,'' their father, John, his voice wavering with emotion, said Monday. Pernaselli, 27, was one of three Navy and Coast Guard servicemen killed Saturday in a waterborne suicide attack on...

Another task in the Coalition's nation building mission is ridding Iraq's Persian Gulf waters of pirates. Coalition forces maintain a significant security presence in Iraqi waters in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483. Under 1483, coalition forces will provide law enforcement and security functions for the area until an Iraqi maritime security force can be established. During the height of the war, the Navy was on guard against pro-Saddam forces using the small dhows as bomb platforms. Local pirates are believed to routinely prey upon both local traders and smugglers in Gulf waters. Most incidents are never...

Navy NewStand Story Number: NNS030411-08 Release Date: 4/11/2003 12:43:00 PM From Coast Guard Forces Southwest Asia, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell (WPB 1332) and Navy Patrol Coastal ship USS Firebolt (PC 10), with embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406, escorted the first commercially transported humanitarian aid shipment into the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr April 11. The Motor Vessel Manar, owned by Manar Marine Services of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), delivered almost 700 tons of humanitarian aid including food, water, first aid and transport vehicles. This aid...