US launches huge show of force in Persian Gulf

US launches huge show of force in Persian Gulf

www.jpost.com

The US Navy on Tuesday began its largest demonstration of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by a pair of aircraft carriers and backed by warplanes flying simulated attack maneuvers off the coast of Iran.

The maneuvers bring together two strike groups of US warships and more than a hundred US warplanes to conduct simulated air warfare in the crowded Gulf shipping lanes.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Its very interesting that the US has done this during the capture of British troops in Iran. This could very well be mind games on the behalf of the coalition, but ,with Blairs tough words today regarding the British will take "other options" now with Iran, we could be see the moving towards conflict.

www.jpost.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Funny how with all those ships and airplanes and helicopters and submarines and patrol boats and radars and satellites nobody warned those UK marines that they were being surrounded by Iranian patrol boats. And why didn't nobody help them - like that helicopter assigned to their patrol team? I have a gut feeling that they were "allowed" to be taken away - but now it is time to flex muscles...

My guess is that Iran will free the sailors just in time to avoid military action. If Iran miscalculates they could well face military action that would have my full support. At the very least I would like to coalition air power cripple the Iranian military and destroy the sites associated with there nuclear program.

Associated Press

The maneuvers bring together two strike groups of U.S. warships and more than 100 U.S. warplanes to conduct simulated air warfare in the crowded Gulf shipping lanes. Overall, the exercises involve more than 10,000 U.S. personnel on warships and aircraft making simulated attacks on enemy shipping with aircraft and ships, hunting enemy submarines and finding mines.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Kevin Aandahl said the U.S. maneuvers were not organized in response to the capture of the British sailors — nor were they meant to threaten the Islamic Republic, whose navy operates in the same waters.

Hey commander - you will have to come up with something better then that!

Because sincerly, nobody shall belive you now.

Originally posted by Souljah
Funny how with all those ships and airplanes and helicopters and submarines and patrol boats and radars and satellites nobody warned those UK marines that they were being surrounded by Iranian patrol boats. And why didn't nobody help them - like that helicopter assigned to their patrol team? I have a gut feeling that they were "allowed" to be taken away - but now it is time to flex muscles...

I think cause we didn't want to spark a war...that might be the only reason why no shots were fired or why no one used force to prevent them from being captured.

Thats the only reason I can think of.

[edit on 27-3-2007 by infinite]

Originally posted by infinite
I think cause we didn't want to spark a war...that might be the only reason why no shots were fired or why no one used force to prevent them from being captured.

Well as much I would want that to be true, that does not sound like an action taken by marines, usually trained to kill and not to think about surrender...



[edit on 27/3/07 by Souljah]

The rules of engagement are different within the British Army than the Americans. No offence, but we are not that trigger happy.

Funny how "war games" conveniently always seem to pop-up at the same time as something major happens in the vicinity.

Weren't they doing war games when the US invaded Iraq the first & second times??

South Korea's missile test was the last one. The US started doing wargames at the same time as the launches and then SK did more tests.

Then Iran starts acting up and then again war games right in the area...

Provocation by both sides to escalate their coverage and influence...

Originally posted by Zenem
Funny how "war games" conveniently always seem to pop-up at the same time as something major happens in the vicinity.

As far i can tell, you are more prepared for most things when you think the exact opposite of what the military is telling the media.

Originally posted by Zenem
Provocation by both sides to escalate their coverage and influence...

Which is not a good idea.

It seems both sides are now trying to get the other to throw the first punch.

Looks like a Gulf of Tonkin maneuver, or a Nueces River incident, or maybe a 'remember the Maine'. The only difference is that the British had to provoke it because the US has no crediblity what-so-ever.

Originally posted by polanksi
Looks like a Gulf of Tonkin maneuver, or a Nueces River incident, or maybe a 'remember the Maine'. The only difference is that the British had to provoke it because the US has no crediblity what-so-ever.

Yeah, the British are taking a lead on this

Ah!! ICP!

Originally posted by Souljah
Funny how with all those ships and airplanes and helicopters and submarines and patrol boats and radars and satellites nobody warned those UK marines that they were being surrounded by Iranian patrol boats. And why didn't nobody help them - like that helicopter assigned to their patrol team? I have a gut feeling that they were "allowed" to be taken away - but now it is time to flex muscles...

Yeah, this all seems a little to convienient to me. Its like this is the start of the second act of some horrible trilogy, with Syria being the final show.

Originally posted by kleverone
Yeah, this all seems a little to convienient to me. Its like this is the start of the second act of some horrible trilogy, with Syria being the final show.

Syria would be a walk over. Israel would deal with them.

how on earth is bush going to justify the cost of these war game's if they don't go to war with Iran?

Its a very difficult situation.

They cant bomb Iran unless those troops are executed ( can they)
There is zero support for attacking Iran

there must be some hidden agenda other than oil

because this is madness

The main problem is that even if coalition air power cripples the Iranian military the current regime will still be in power.
Should the UN go down the weapons inspection path of the 1990s after (if) any military action has been take against Iran and the sailors have been freed ?

Carriers have to give their pilots stick time. They dont just sit there doing nothing waiting for a mission. There is always training to be completed, and there is a schedule for such training. I still dont see it happening, we have the assets to wage an air campaign in the region, but not to counter the potential ground attack that could come following that air campaign in retalliation. This action would only serve to further destabilize Iraq and that is certainly not in teh US' interests at this time.

Originally posted by infinite
I think cause we didn't want to spark a war...that might be the only reason why no shots were fired or why no one used force to prevent them from being captured.

-Then why were we in waters which are known to be contested.
-Why were the intelligence reports ignored that said Iran was going to do something like this in retaliation to the diplomats being taken.
-Why has Britain not come forward with its evidence if it is so sure it is correct

sorry, but i don't buy for a second that this is Irans fault. we were clearly trying to provoke them, and its worked.

Iran is selling off USD held in the reserves, which is to settle Oil and Fuel contracts with Buyers. Iran is preparing to move to Euros to settle their fuel contracts, as is Russia and China, which represents the largest fuel trading block in the world.
If this moves ahead, the Shift to Euros to settle international contracts will hit the US hard, but it wont be fatal. It will pull the carpet out from the Bush family and their friends empire. This will shift real economic power to Russia, Europe and Asia.

This war is about petro dollars, not any other stated reason.