The USS Sentry, USS Devastator, USS Pioneer, and USS Warrior minesweepers arrive in the Gulf
The four additional mine countermeasures (MCM) ships arrived on
Saturday and are scheduled for a seven-month deployment in an area of
operations that includes the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of
the Indian Ocean.
The area also includes two other critical shipping choke points of the
Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandab between the southern tip of
Yemen and Africa.
“MCM ships conduct operations with coalition forces in order to ensure
the continued, safe flow of maritime traffic in international
waterways,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement late on Sunday.
More than a third of all seaborne traded oil was shipped through
Hormuz last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA).
The USS Sentry, Devastator, Pioneer and Warrior are designed to clear
mines from vital waterways, supporting a U.S. Central Command request
for more MCM support, the U.S. Navy statement said.
http://www.rich.co.ke/rctools/wrapup.php
US deploys 4 minesweepers to Iranian Hormuz oil shipping lane
RT
June 26, 2012
Four US minesweepers have arrived in the Persian Gulf – the vital shipping route for the global economy. It comes after an Iranian military chief said the Islamic State might try to block the Strait of Hormuz to defend its interests. To discuss the situation RT talks to Ali Rizk, who is an expert on Middle East affairs.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/us-deploys-4-minesweepers-to-iranian-hormuz-oil-shipping-lane.html
U.S. Navy sending special operations floating naval base USS Ponce to Persian Gulf
Iran Can Limit Tankers Access To Strait Of Hormuz, Kayhan Says
Iran’s “hands aren’t tied” when it comes to the embargo that will come into force on July 1 and it can respond to the “bellicose undertaking” by barring access to tankers transporting oil for countries enforcing the sanctions, Shariatmadari wrote in an editorial published yesterday.
Iran can act in line with its rights under the 1958 Convention on the Territorial Sea, said the head of the Tehran- based daily who was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
European Union foreign ministers have confirmed that the EU embargo on Iranian oil will take effect from July 1, as no progress has been made in talks over Iran’s nuclear program.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/327381#ixzz1yv5WfzaY
A battle group is centered on a super carrier and includes sub(s), crusiers, missile crusiers, supply ships….
“CSG or CVBG normally consist of 1 Aircraft Carrier, 2 Guided Missile Cruisers, 2 Anti Aircraft Warships, and 1-2 Anti Submarine Destroyers or Frigates..”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_battle_group
- DoorBert
