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Parsing Recent Carrier Strike Group Movements
As with any Nimitz class carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) doesn't deploy alone. Instead she sails with a number of other support vessels composing a "Carrier Strike Group." Within the Eisenhower's traditional strike group (Carrier Strike Group Eight) are:
Command Destroyer Squadron Two Eight, composed of 8300 ton Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers focused on antiair, antisubmarine, antisurface, and strike operations using the AN/SPY-1D Phased Array Radar, an AEGIS upgrade, and the best-in-class AN/SQQ-89 integrated ASW Suite. Originally designed to deal with former Soviet air threats (like Iran's Su-25, MiG-29A (Fulcrum) and MiG-29UB aircraft?):
The USS Bainbridge (DDG 96)
The USS Barry (DDG 52)
The USS Laboon (DDG 58)
The USS Mitscher (DDG 57)
The USS Ramage (DDG 61)
Along with:
Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers:
The USS Carney (DDG 64)
The USS McFaul (DDG 74)
The USS Farragut (DDG 99)
...and 9600 ton Ticonderoga class guided missile cruisers:
The USS Hue City (CG 66)
The USS Anzio (CG 68)
The USS Vicksburg (CG 69)
Generally, Carrier Strike Groups are also escorted by two or three attack submarines as well. Those aren't talked about much.
Carrier Strike Group Ten, built around the USS Harry S. Truman, is composed of a substantially similar group. It will, however, replace Command Destroyer Squadron Two Eight with Command Destroyer Squadron Two Six:
USS Hawes (FFG 53)
USS James E. Williams (DDG 95)
USS Kaufman (FFG 59)
USS Ross (DDG 71)
USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79)
USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81)
USS Elrod (FFG 55)
The presence of three Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates (FFG 53, FFG 59, FFG 55) is interesting. Zero Hedge readers may remember the Oliver Hazard Perry class by its most famous member, the USS Stark (FFG 31) which was struck by not one but two Exocet anti-ship missiles launched from an Iraqi plane in 1987 and somehow managed to limp to Bahrain and was eventually repaired and returned to service. Less famous, but more dramatic, the USS Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian mine, which blew a 6 meter hole in the vessel, flooded the engine room, and actually broke the keel. For the unwashed, the end of the keel is typically the end of a warship. Despite this, the Samuel B. Roberts was not only salvaged, but repaired and returned to action.
The USS Stark (FFG 31) lists to port after being
struck by Iraqi Exocet missiles in 1987
For comparison, the only real action the Arleigh Burke class has seen is via the USS Cole (DDG 67) which was attacked while in port by suicide bombers.
Though the Eisenhower and Carrier Strike Group Eight are due to rotate out of the area after a six month deployment in July, two things are interesting with respect to this rotation.
Firstly, the arrival of Carrier Strike Group Ten with the Harry S. Truman puts two anti-air and anti-cruise missile groups in the U.S. Fifth Fleet AOR ("Area of Responsibility," Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and East African Coast) at the same time. Also, this is the first time the Harry S. Truman has been in the Fifth Fleet AOR. (The Eisenhower relieved the USS Nimitz, which is now sitting patiently in San Diego, back in January).
Sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) render honors
to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) (Arabian Sea, June 26, 2010)
Second, the outgoing Carrier Strike Group Eight is commanded by Rear Admiral Phillip S. Davidson. Of course, one does not manage to command a Carrier Strike Group without active and combat deployment, but Davidson's background is far more weighted to strategy and policy accomplishments. To wit:
Adm. Davidson’s initial sea service assignments were in frigates and destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets and he has made deployments to the Persian Gulf, Western Pacific, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Eastern Pacific and Baltic Sea areas of operation. He was also the Commanding Officer in two warships, commanding USS Taylor (FFG 50) from August 1998 to June 2000 and USS Gettysburg (CG 64) from October 2004 to June 2006. He deployed and earned Battle Efficiency “E” awards in both of those ships.
Ashore, he has served in a variety of operations, planning and policy billets on the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff, the Navy staff and the Joint Staff; as the Navy’s Military Aide to the Vice President of the United States; and as a Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, and later, to the Chief of Naval Operations. He was the Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff/J-5 in his first flag officer assignment.
Rear Admiral Davidson is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and other personal, unit and campaign awards. He has a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies and is a Joint Specialty Officer.1
His replacement, Rear Admiral Patrick Driscoll, Commander of Carrier Strike Group Ten, has enjoyed a career with a decidedly different focus, specifically: A combat hardened strike fighter pilot and commander with significant experience in the Iraq-Iran theater. Notice:
Driscoll's initial fleet assignment was with the 1983 Battle "E" winning VS-32 “Maulers," where he completed two Indian Ocean deployments and was selected as the Atlantic Fleet Sea Strike Pilot of the Year. Following transition training in the A-7E CORSAIR II, Driscoll deployed with the VA-105 "Gunslingers" to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean, which included participation in tanker escort operations during Operation Earnest Will.
His next sea assignment was with the "Clansmen" of VA-46, where he deployed aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) to the Red Sea in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Driscoll then attended the Naval War College, with a follow-on joint assignment with the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in July of 1993.
In 1996, Driscoll reported once again to the "Gunslingers" of VFA-105 deploying aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and participated in Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia and Operation Southern Watch in Iraq. Driscoll's next assignment was the commanding officer and flight leader of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (The Blue Angels) for the 1999 and 2000 show seasons.
In April of 2001, Driscoll reported to Carrier Air Wing 5 based in Atsugi, Japan. During Operation Enduring Freedom, he led the TACAIR strike element aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), which served as an Afloat Forward Staging Base during combat operations in Afghanistan. He deployed again in 2003 and led his air wing in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2008 he served in Baghdad, Iraq as Director of Communication and spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I). He is currently serving as Commander, Carrier Strike Group TEN.
Driscoll’s staff assignments include: Deputy Director, Deep Blue; EA to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information, Plans and Strategy; EA to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations and the Chairman’s Joint Strategic Working Group.
Personal awards include the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V, three Bronze Stars, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He is a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College and holds a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.2
Driscoll relieved Rear Admiral Mark Fox in May of last year.
Even in the event Carrier Strike Group Eight rotates out immediately, in Carrier Strike Group Ten the Arabian Sea has a group of vessels battle proven in this theater and against a similar foe commanded by an experienced air combat officer and filled with freshly deployed fighting men and women.
New moon on July 12th.
Hmmmmm.
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Prayers and blessings for all the good men and women serving in the US Navy !
Isn't that just a coincidence of a great magnitude; Dreizn and Neira show up on the same day Israel comes back into international focus. Nice to see you boys today; I know you couldn't make it yesterday; I mean with all the chores at the Temple and that whole Sabbath thing.
Prayers and blessings killers get killed! WorldTerrorists!
we are the terrorists.
Prayers and blessings to the navy??????
Prayers and blessings to all the innocent Iranian men, women and children about to be slaughtered for nothing...you f**ing stupid halfwit troll.
Hmm, yes. You got me.
Why would women and children be at uranium enrichment plants?
Let's make love not war!
isn't it past your bedtime
But, from the same era, "fighting for peace is like f**king for chastity."
Or two other chestnuts: "What if they gave a war and nobody came." Wow, that's deep. And, "War never solved anything."
I'll second that, Adam! Thanks to all our servicemen and women of the US Navy.
that's right. show respect. it's gay pride weekend dammit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw
Y-M-C-A !!
this is pretty straight-forward. it becomes pretty difficult to attack a nuclear reactor once its up and running. Bushehr is slated - after many delays - to get up and going in August. The strike will happen before then.
Iran has cancelled its flotilla because it doesn't want it used as a declaration of war, and in-turn a reason for a strike.
@ Adam N.
- what about our neighbors ??
>>>caution<<<
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un7KRYq9bqw
right. the good ones. and the iranians are the bad ones. just like cowboys and indians. god this country is screwed on intellect.
Cheap money = cheap minds
This is what is coming... McCrystal's removal was much more about giving Petreaus the total command (in much the same way as Patton was discredited, but very much involved in subsequent operations during WWII). Petreaus is positioned on both sides now; with Iran squarely in the cross hairs. We pulled our missels out of eastern Europe in ... See Moreexchange for the codes to the SAM batteries about a year ago (same thing occurred years ago in Syria years ago when the Israeils attacked their SAM's withot losing 1 plane) . The carrier group is in position, the Black Swan event can only be weeks away.
We must go to war to repay the financial groups and reduce the ownership of properties (bankruptcies and foreclosures) so that these financial owners have their buying spree of fire sale assets that become available in desperate times.
They produced this financial crisis just to ramp up the taxes, not for the Wall Street- but now soon for "America's battle against Evil"- all the while positioning themselves on both sides of Iran. The death tax will be re-instated and made retroactive to cover this past year and the taxes will go through the roof for all us "patriots" to pay in the midst of this "Life or Death" BS war. I have not connected all the dots, but I know it is coming soon. The black swan event will be as "believable" as the the 911 BS attacks, but sadly the general populace will be equally as motivated to sign up to fight the good fight (just as they did after the "surprise" attack on Pear Harbor). It makes me sick that without continued economic growth this is the only alternative, but this what is really going on and what will come to pass.
I am glad I only have daughters- this is pathetic.
Since I am not a patriot (see Dr. Samuel Johnson) does that mean I don't have to pay taxes like 40% of my fellow slaves?
Welcome back Madame Singer.
Marla is beautiful. I've missed her. I understand I'm sounding like a suck-up, but I seriously adore the mind and spirit that she proffers. I need someone to admire and she works.
AFAIK; she hates compliments; if you want to draw her attention; try insulting her/her article[s].
But yes; I wholeheartedly agree with you; Marla is awesome.
Hi Cheeky, Croatian guy here.
Marla is paranoid with a touch of shizo. In short, just a GOP troll with assignment to induce fear and support to US hegemony and end of the world thoughts. End of the world thoughts radicalizes population into more radical actions.
P.S. Cheeky, this wasn't attempt to get her attention, just trying to be objective and coolheaded. Tvoj Joker je isto u sluzbi straha.
Zivila Hrvatska
Wait, wait wait. You are being speculative here on both counts [Marla being no.1, my avatar being no.2]. But speculation is the new "killin it" so go right ahead. She is just reporting the facts here; or do you want to tell me that she made up all the data in this article just to prolong anxiety in the people who read it; and to further the message of American supremacy. Nigga; PUH-LEEZE.
As for my avatar; I believe I might have been among the first 10 people on the planet who actually used it before Glenn Beck and The Tea Party attached meaning to this image and made it "mainstream". My avatar is meaningless, its interpretative; its sort of a Rorschach test which facilitates me in finding who believes in what [based on their reactions to it].
And what fear could my avatar possibly insert into anyone who has an IQ above 11 and a vague understanding of political pop-culture.
Bring back Chabal!
Jesus Christ; I cant believe you remember that one. LOL; excellent memory Sir; outstanding.
Your a Joker (as in the card your holding)
is also a job in fearlive on Coratia
don't bring back Chabal†
my guy was the fast wing & cute.
What exactly makes you think I have any affinity at all for the GOP? Actually, I despise that party. The "touch of shizo" comment (I assume you meant "schizo" and not the marathon runner) is, however, right on the money.
My fucking god, I hope they get on with ending the world. This slow cocktease is killing me.
Excuse me, but the world will end when God is ready and not by the hand of man.
there's a difference?
more like strokin with novocaine : keepin it hard with no pleasure
so boring
LOL, very LOL
Ha! A spirited discussion/screaming match to ensue. Gettin' the popcorn.
Marla,
Any information on the depolyment of USMC Heavy Cavalry or Hussars aboard any of the ships? A dead giveaway of intent.
IF this were the prelude to a war with Iran what is the end game politically in Iran? Would there even be a ground invasion, boots on the ground? Or, would you spend a decade surrounding the thing and hoping an aggressive air campaign directed at the Mullahs and the revolutionary guard would give any internal opposition to the theocracy (with lots of outside aid) an opportunity to strike? Perhaps the west has already chosen a general with sympathetic views of the west to come to power and have a more organic (sorry for the word choice) transition. You don't have to nation build if you don't blow up the nation and kill all the bureaucrats (Ba'ath Party in Iraq).
But what do I know...
Mate, Hussars are a British Regiment. Heavy Cavalry is not deployed with the Navy...Armor ( if it is what you mean...) goes around on Ro-Ro ships that need ports to disembark it.
If you want to land on a beach, you have Marines deployed, and they go around in the Gator navy, all that flattop ships with an LHA or LHD in front. Each of them carries a MAU, Marine Amphibious Unit...that is barely enough to establish a beachhead.
Sleep serene...the big Ro-Ro ships need pre-deployment, you do not transport Armored Brigades anywhere fast...
Me thinks, "we" occupy countries to the West and East, and deploy from staging areas to the land of arians North, don't "we"? Why bother with amphibian assault, then?
Joe, Hussars date back in a military sense to Hungarian Light Cavalry in 1532. Most if not all Euro nations used the term since then. Now mainly ceremonial units except as you point out the tradition of keeping unit names and distinctions in the GB units.
Actually I was referring to Marla's quite correct asessment on Turkish cavalry being on one of the Gaza ships in post from a few weeks ago. Just the presence of those grand beasts of war on board led to deaths.
They all are equipped only with paint-ball guns, don't worry too much. OK?
Cossack--no gators in the OB, just gray shooters. - Ned
The USS Barry.
7/11
When 4 more carrier groups show up take notice. Nothing to see here yet.
Not sure I agree. No need for 5 carrier groups if you are supporting an Israeli air attack, given that no land deployment is likely to follow.
I seriously doubt that Israel can effectively hit these targets. Israeli capabilities have been vastly overstated and they have lived off their reputation of the past. The only multiple kills of the 1st gulf war was by a Saudi pilot in an F15. The only thing that might lead me to think this could happen is that Israel had a falling out with Turkey. This may have been planned to shield the Turks from the fallout of an Israeli attack.
For the US the only attack which makes sense is a regime change. Tweaking while we have troops in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan doesn’t make much sense to me. They would pay the price I fear. There was a joke going around that the Iranians would use after the Iraq invasion. They would go up to an American and ask why the US invaded Iraq. The American would fumble around and give an answer then the Iranian would stop them and say, no, why didn’t you invade Iran.
Iran would have been a much better target than Iraq. They have a more or less homogeneous society which would lead more to a Japan/Germany occupation rather than a Yugoslavian type civil war we faced in Iraq. I’m not advocating anything here; it’s just if you are going to take down a government you need to think of what comes next. If you’re not going to take them down you need to think of what they can and will do to retaliate.
I agree with the point that Israeli capabilities are overstated. Their military used to have a great reputation but if you look at their last two serious turns at the plate, the war in Lebanon and the boarding of the "relief mission" ships, both missions were horribly botched. If I were Netanyahu or even Obama with the whole ballgame riding on this mission, would I turn the ball over to the Israeli military this one time? Why would I trust them to perform against a target thats a thousand times more difficult than anything they've ever been up against?
Yea it’s not 1 target its multiple ones, some heavily defended, some buried deeply and some right next to civilian areas. This is not the raid on the Iraqi reactor in 1981. The US can pull this off, I seriously doubt Israel has a real chance at it.
What makes you guys so sure you have any idea what Israeli capabilities actually are?
The Israeli military can keep its secrets. This is poker. You don't show your hand until you play it.
Blah Blah Blah. Are you trying to pump up the price of oil with your non-sense or are you trying to beat your chest?
Hizbullah cracked their code in about 2 seconds. The 'Whites Only' army of Apartheid Israel ain't as adept as you make it seem.
That's why they couldn't defeat Hamas, and organization THEY started!
Long live the glorious conqueors of Hezbollah! (now sitting amongst the ruins of Lebanon).
Hey - when Apartheid Israel commits itself to killing a bunch of babies, few can stop them (especially when they receive so much welfare from Uncle Sam).
But when it comes to defeating another military force, they're impotent.
Isreal the bully, sure.. Isreal in a real war? no fucking chance
You kidding? Israel has the largest military presence on the planet! They have 700+ bases of substantial size throughout the world. They have B-2 bombers, SEAL snipers, and aircraft carriers! All they had to do was get their people in top levels of the USA management. Done deal.
"We have a right to exist!"
"Never again!"
Here is the US military option that works. http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/getting-serious-about-iran--a-military-option-10135
It does not require much of a land deployment - it's all Special Ops and Marines. It would cripple the Mullahs in days, and bring regime change in weeks. It would also upset the region and spike oil through the roof for a few months - but it would not lead to a regional conflict (other than Hamas and Hezbollah attacking Israel, which I am sure they are prepared for and would deal with if it meant the end of the Iranian regime, and therefore Hamas and Hezbollah within a year or so). The Strike Groups on station are easily enough to handle this scenario. The only issue is whether The One would order it - which I find impossible to believe. But he should....
This reminds me of how sure the Bush Whitehouse was that they could take Iraq with only 50,000 troops. The grudgingly tripled that after the Army said they needed 400 – 500k. Yes Iran’s economic weakness is gas supplies but people vastly overestimate enthusiastic students vs. paid Hezbollah hit men in the Basij. The Ayatollahs aren’t going down without boot on the ground. My estimate is they would go down fast but it’s not happening without a US drive to Tehran.
You left out the part where they welcome us with rose pedals.
. . . and sweets.
Too bad we had to disturb the balance of power in the middle east by attacking Iraq. I guess Saddam Hussein had it coming, after knocking down the WTC.
And Afganistan had it coming after the CIA trained and equipped Mujahadin freedom fighters, I mean the Taliban Islam extremists, knocked down the WTC.
Now that Iran is bracketed by two countries that we invaded and occupy, how dare they try to develop 55 year old weapon technology to defend themselves, I mean wipe Israel off the map.
"I guess Saddam Hussein had it coming, after knocking down the WTC."
What? Nobody ever seriously claimed that Saddam was responsible for the WTC. T'was supposedly Al-Queda and Osama (not Taliban, either) out of Afghanistan.
whoa - 7 junks? IT'S SARCASM
You had me LMAO, I mean thinking about junking.
Annihilate them all.
The carrier strike groups? Why would we want to do that? </insipid humor>
Isn't that Ron Paul's solution?
Yep. I think he would have the groups that we did not mothball just patrolling off the coasts of the U. S.. What a weird idea.
Well I guess this is a legit display of ready and able force. It's just hard to believe Obama would be willing to initiate the kinds of military hostilities (Congress stopped declaring wars a long time ago) that seem to be jumping to everyone's mind.
Is he hoping to stage a deck-of-the-Missouri type signing of some big deal treaty while holding a big stick? Is he planing on defending Iran (or Turkey) from Israel? Maybe stage a pre-emptive, amphibious surrender live on TV?
Kabul is about as close to those boats as Tehran, maybe this is an Afghanistan operation. Ending a war would probably do more for flagging approval ratings than starting another one right now. Those troops mostly flew in, they'll have to fly out (under protection) too.
Really though, for a commander-in-chief who just did away with the long standing American doctrine of nuclear strategic ambiguity this move is hard to fathom.
They are on "training exercise" right now. If they stay, they are there to keep the gulf open to shipping should Iran try to close it.
Looks like it might be time to go long on USO
World leaders "believe absolutely" that Israel may decide to take military action against Iran to prevent the latter from acquiring nuclear weapons, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Saturday.
“Iran is not guaranteeing a peaceful production of nuclear power [so] the members of the G-8 are worried and believe absolutely that Israel will probably react preemptively,” Berlusconi told reporters following talks with other Group of Eight leaders north of Toronto.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/g-8-fully-believes-israel-will-attack-iran-says-italy-pm-1.298597
Next time the anyone has their door kicked in at 3 in the morning and humiliated in front of their family, just take it that you were non transparent and compliant to state an federal law. God help you if they find any cigarette butts.
forza italia lost...get over it silvio...world champions no mas
So maybe we'll see an Israeli commando directed airstrike package, with the U.S. there to keep things flowing through Hormuz should Iran do the missile/fast attack boat thing. Obama can say 'It's Israel's gig', and provide security without commitment to war. If Iran then bites, we have a 'justifiable' way to escalate. Better keep our eyes on the 'terrorism triangle' in S.America after that.
Bullcrap. Iran has the most awesome centrifuges the world has ever seen. They want the technology. They'll let a 100,000 soldiers die trying to secure their site without blinking. If this technology gets out there is no need for huge inventories of nuclear weapons becasue it's so fast and efficient. And pretty much ends the endless dicking around with does the bombs still work as well as making nuclear fuel production almost trivial which is huge business with our stupid nuclear sub addicted world.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/world/africa/29iht-nukes.1.12423082.ht...
I don't believe B.O. could pull the trigger on a military strike on Iran of any kind. I get the feeling it would be some sort of peace-keeping operation ala Bosnia and Somalia that get's horribly botched. You could load 10 carrier groups over there as a "show of force", but it means nothing if he's not willing to deal with the responsibility of an attack.
btw, I donated 20 bucks today. Not much I know, but hopefully I can make it a regular contribution. I don't subscribe to any newspapers or magazines as ZH feeds my need for what's going on so it's well worth it to me.
I feel like a turd for asking this, but perhaps you could look at making your blog available on Kindle. Much lesser financial blogs are available on there and it's a shame I can't get you guys on there. I think the response would be enormous. Please look into it. I want all of the founders of ZH to be uber-rich without having to sell their souls to the darkside.
Biff Malibu
Amazon takes 70% of the tiny blog subscription fee and Kindle reads circumvent our advertisers. We are unlikely to find that appealing any time soon.
I know what you're thinking.
You're thinking, "Steve, how can *I* be UBER-RICH and NEVER sell my soul to the darkside?"
FIRST: become, uber-rich...
SECOND: buy your soul back.
If Israel doesnt bomb their nuke sites in the next year I would be surprised.
I was suprised 3 years ago when they had GB in the WH and didn't act.
There was talk in the news at that time that we would not allow action on Iran until all troops were safely out of Iraq. (Something about Iran attacking our troops in Iraq if we attacked Iran.) Since they weren't out by the time of the elections, no Bush attack on Iran. I think the Bush WH underestimated the length of time it would take to get out of Iraq.
So this is what Barry meant when saying he would meet with My-Mood-I'm-In-A-Jihad "without preconditions" during the campaign.
I believe the it's the USS Elrod, not the "USS Elron". Although, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see an Elron Electronic Industries sponsored frigate.
You are correct, of course. My apologies to Commander Christopher Engdahl and his gallant crew. Corrected.
U.S.S. L. Ron
Jesus Cristo marla, tell us what you really think! Your timing is impeccable, though: erotic sweet musings from you, some heavy M&A reading, and Wall Street on heavy FMC rotation is proving a shock-and-awe campaign on my [self-depricatingly] feeble, heathen mind. I really, really hope Obama's love affair with the Kennedy administration (frequent Marthas Vineyard outtings included) ends at an insatiable thirst for the poon. The last thing we need is one guy convinced it's fate that he's meant to recreate one of the tensest moments in global diplomacy vis-a-vis the Cuban Missle Crisis wiggling his dick at a Napoleonic meat-puppet who has made it Iranian State agenda to summon Gozer the Gozerian, and with him, the end of the world as we know it.
But what do I know...nopat only pawn in game of life...
Marla: That is an amazing and first-rate analysis...the kind of thing that makes ZH so fantastic. Thanks and keep up the good work!
My initial reaction to these developments: I can't believe Obama would ever endorse/support Israeli action. But then I remember, once a president's approval rate slips under 42%, the only way back is through war. Hmmm...
I'm a little surprised here, dear Turd.
I thought you well understood, that "the game" is larger than individual politicians and approval ratings, no?
In order to make a serious attempt at this, there would need to be a number of plans and contingencies, and the logistics to support same, in place at the same time.
To wit:
1. Hit what can be hit remotely, fast. That part both the US and Israel are good at. The carrier groups and the IAF are more than adequate.
2. Get on the ground and shoot/blast/gas out the underground and hardened portions of the Iranian nuclear infrastructure. This is very difficult and dangerous. Again, it would need to be fast; more than 12-24 hours and the tactical advantage would begin to shift to the Iranians, units would get pinned down, prisoners taken etc. This part is the ultimate gamble, for without it there really isn't any point in attacking Iran (never mind that it's immoral and illegal). A desperate and daring element of the overall operation.
3. Prepare for blowback. Again, a very serious and deep set of issues, plans and logistics. Here it is probably good that Iran has been as aggressive as it has been for the past several years, 'showing their hand' and giving a good read on likely strategic and tactical moves in response to a US-Israeli attack. But make no mistake, Iran is a large state with a very large sphere of influence. Blowback will be very costly and even within the parameters established still quite unpredictable.
New Moon? Bring it on. Frankly everyone deserves to be bombed given the past century's travesty of greed, ignorant hatred, and arrogance. Let's see how it goes down. Maybe a more just and loving society can emerge from the ashes, this time....
All the crap that's going on in the world is a result of one single f***ing dick; quite literally.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y-chromosomal_Adam
By analyzing the Y chromosome DNA from males in all regions of the world, geneticist Spencer Wells has concluded that all humans alive today are patrilineally descended from a single man who lived in Africa around 60,000 years ago.
Too bad the drugstore was closed.
You mean it wasn't the Battlestar Galactica crew?
"a single man who lived in Africa"
Now how could they have possibly known he was single?
They didn't find out his name was Adam,did they?
Duh, because marriage wasn't invented yet. Marriage was invented after my man skipped out on child support on his 2000 kids.
EXPECT to see US B-2 stealth bombers deployed from Whiteman AFB (509th Bomb Wing). They are one of the few weapons platforms that are both stealthy and have the payload capacity for the kind of bunker-busting munitions we'll have to use. The Israeli ADF will simply provide air-to-air/air-to-ground support against the significantly weaker Iranian air defense assets. Carrier group will run logistics and support for the ops, but probably won't be a central player in this type of mission. Cruise missiles can't penetrate the thickness of ballistic-grade protection that presumably surrounds these targets (of which there are MANY). This is a HELLUVA job they've got before them. These dug-in positions may be, for all practical purposes, impenetrable. But who knows, it's been a while since I've been on the flight line.
For now you cannot deal with herdsmen on the donkeys in Afghanistan, when you deal with that problem first then we're gonna talk about stealthy platforms and payloads and other shit.
"munitions we'll have to use"
LOL, the term "we'll" means 'WE WILL', who said anything about WE????
Are these vessels carrying weapons or paintball guns?
Just wondering........
Paintball cannons.
we americans are broke. we dont want war. we will not go to war... unless, of course, we are duped by another 9/11-style false flag attack on us soil. i would guess that it would be simultaneous false-flag attacks in multiple nations...
iran is not just another regional conflict... it is a gateway to ww3. please watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxszB0myQA8
It would sort of shake things up before the November election. Such a shakeup might be just what the Dr. ordered for a bunch of congress critters who are going to lose otherwise.
I personally think the time to address this was years ago. Either Jimmy Carter should not have installed a radical islamist regime in Iran regime in the first place or W should have taken care of the problem while it was still tractable. They both failed. Now it's up to a guy whose only real interest in the problem is its domestic political impact. It's a double edge sword in that regard. Skyrocketing oil prices probably guarantee a big double dip recession--but that could be hidden until after November. OTOH, Americans do tend to rally around the flag in a crisis.
I understand the Republican Guard monitors this site. It would be interesting if you would post the number of hits coming from Iran and whether it is a marked increase today.
Republican guard was Iraq. Revolutionary guard is Iran
Correct. Thanks.
Israel/Russia/Georgia
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2008/08/021207.php
Coincidence? Recent turing up of the heat over Karabakh:
http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenian_FM_Deems_Baku_Responsible_For_Kara...
You fools. You think underground mineral reserves respect national boundaries?
What they found in Afghanistan is only the tip of the iceberg.
Now where do you think the rest of the treasure is?
Iron Range, Minnesota.
Surprise!
All I can tell you is it's protected by a 900 year-old crusader who speaks remarkably good modern English despite living in a cave all that time.
Choose wisely, dude. That's the best advice I can give you.
Here is comes...
You are dreaming if you think Obama is attacking anybody.
I agree. Omama is attacking nobody. But U.S. military forces are following a planned strategy of deploymnet to:
a) apply pressure; or show some nuts for Turkey,
2) invite attack,
3) protect our interests if Israel decides to attack.
I think this is checkers, not chess...
Yes, inviting attack. Like...the US.....always....does.
By Carola Hoyos and Javier Blas in London and Daniel,Dombey in Washington
Published: June 28 2010 03:00 | Last updated: June 28 2010 03:00
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Total has become the latest big oil company to halt petrol sales to Iran, just days before Barack Obama, the US president, signs into law sanctions targeted at Tehran's reliance on imported petroleum.
The French energy group joined BP, Royal Dutch Shell and all the big oil traders in shunning Tehran before the unilateral US sanctions came into force.
The legislation, which won final approval last week by overwhelming margins in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, imposes penalties on international groups that help provide Iran with refined oil, and on banks that do business with blacklisted Iranian institutions.
My favorite war historian..The War Nerd - Gary Brecher
The War Nerd: This Is How the Carriers Will Die (Updated Version)
http://exiledonline.com/the-war-nerd-this-is-how-the-carriers-will-die/
"I’ve been saying for a long time that aircraft carriers are just history’s most expensive floating targets, and that they were doomed.
But now I can tell you exactly how they’re going to die. I’ve just read one of the most shocking stories in years. It comes from the US Naval Institute, not exactly an alarmist or anti-Navy source. And what it says is that the US carrier group is scrap metal."
- other War Nerd reports here...
http://exiledonline.com/cat/war-nerd/
It's ok shark teeth don't hurt. They are so sharp there's very little trauma. Unless they have to double and triple bite at ligament locations.
- "From here on, it’s just bad guys vs. worse guys, vs. even worse guys, vs. guys who would scare Charles Manson."
- Gary Brecher
Indeed, aircraft carriers have limited military usage.
But their destruction would be a card blanche for any size of thermo-nuclear response, n'est pas?
me, i'll take one ship made out of plastic bottles flying the skull & crossbones equipped with one solid mid-range cannon and a crew of a dozen solid souls.
we'll see who floats when the electricity shorts out.
I'm sorry, Mach10? Last time I checked nobody has working scramjets yet. Baloney.
The Sunburn combines a ...
Mach 2.1 speed (two times the speed of sound)
with a flight pattern that hugs the deck and includes "violent end maneuvers" to elude enemy defenses.
The missile was specifically designed to defeat the US Aegis radar defense system. Should a US Navy Phalanx point defense somehow manage to detect an incoming Sunburn missile, the system has only seconds to calculate a fire solution not enough time to take out the intruding missile. The US Phalanx defense employs a six-barreled gun that fires 3,000 depleted-uranium rounds a minute, but the gun must have precise coordinates to destroy an intruder "just in time."
"Mach10"...Baloney !!!
This is mostly incorrect. The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS, or Sea-Whiz) struggled with weaving targets, yes, and that's why the US Navy developed CIWS Blk II, specifically to deal with the Sunburn. As for Aegis, current Aegis mods have no problem with missiles like the Sunburn as long as proper doctrine is enabled. The biggest bottleneck used to be the capabilities of the SM-2 missile itself, but those limitations have been corrected. In any case, that close we would likely be talking about an Sea Sparrow (ESSM) shot, and that missile is more than capable of taking out the flying school bus that is the Sunburn.
See my post below for further elaboration. Oh, and the RAM you refer to is Rolling Airframe Missile. It would only be the last line of defense against an incoming missile, after it got through countermeasures and Aegis. Which is possible, but I'm just telling you that the Sunburn (or any Iranian anti-ship missiles) is a ways down the list of things planners worry about in the Navy.
The race of men while sheep in credulity are wolves for conformity.
Go USA: The Land of the Fee and the Home of the Slave...err make that Free and Brave. Ah, the CGU (Cash Generating Units aka Stupid Taxpayers) of the Zerohedge community have a stake in this...exactly $0 since their compaign and lobbying contributions amount to, well, $0. This topic should be good for another 200 useless posts.
I am sorry you are so stupid. It must be uncomfortable for you. And the internet has made things so much worse for you. Darn it...
Only 199 more to go....
I wish I could beat you with a stupid stick; but not until you live life for 20 years and fail to apologize for your stupidity. See you in 2020 you mama's boy...
198?
SWIPE == junk!
A couple things at play here. First, this could be Afghanistan or Waziristan related, albeit with the added "benefit" that it might put Ahmadinejad on edge and prompt him to fire the first shot.
Second, I do not believe any side---Israelis or US---has both sufficient intelligence and the weaponry needed to go underground if, in fact, the Iranian facilities are as advertised.
Third, Israel has been rather incompetent as of late in all it actions, whether it is the UAE assassination or the aid ship debacle. Even its last invasion of Lebanon has to be called poorly handled, even by its supporters. This ain't Moshe Dayan's Israel.
What nobody seems to want to face is that the nuclear genie is out of the bag. Today maybe it's just US, Israel, UK, France, Russia, China, South Africa, North Korea, India and Pakistan, but even the likes of Burma (with assistance from North Korea, Russia and the Ukraine) is attempting to go nuke. It won't be long until even San Marino has one. Heck, maybe I'll get me one. Is the US going to bomb us all?
What makes me believe an attack might be in the cards is that it would be morally wrong, militarily wrong, economically wrong, and politically wrong, which is to say right up Obama's alley. Maybe it will get him a repeat on that Peace Prize thing.
Had lunch a few weeks ago with a friend who just came out of the mideast theater. He's been in the spook business, and he is amazed about what we know, and what we can do. His amazement is all I needed to see.
Game over, when TPTB decide they want to end the game.
Do tell more; and details please [well as many as you can give without "outing" your friend]
No can share details CB. Apologies. However, just remember Bobby Jones' expression that golf is played in a space 5 inches across...the space between your ears.
good...time to lay the chips on the table and see who's got what. i'll take my small sack of heirlooms seeds & an extra pair of boxers. hopefully, it's skinny enough to squeeze through the eye of the needle.
if not, what are YOU willing to shed to get through?
The internet. It has you surrounded. No exceptions.
http://www.it-geek.eu/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/internet.jpg
Hey guys and gals did you see how much someone paid for Michel Jackson's glove?
Sorry wrong thread, this is the serious section, I'm looking for the sheeple zone, directions anyone?
This is what is called in DoD parlance, a "show of force"... I think they are looking to see if the Iranians will blink, how regional actors will respond, and then go from there.
My bet is that the carrier group(s) will stand as a hedge while Israel pops a cap in Iran's ass.
I'm not trying to rain on the doom parade here - in fact, I agree that it is only a short matter of time before Israel attacks Iran - but two loaded out carrier strike groups in the Gulf is standard operating procedure, as is the array of destroyers, cruisers, and frigates (and unreported and unlisted subs) by which they are accompanied. I'm a combat systems officer 9 years into the Navy, six of it onboard Arleigh Burke destroyers.
I doubt the US would telegraph an Israeli attack by beefing up presence in the Gulf. It is normal for non-5th Fleet strike groups to operate in the 5th Fleet AOR, because there are no carriers stationed in Bahrain (5th Fleet HQ). Strike groups steam in from Japan (7th Fleet), or Pearl Harbor/San Diego/Everett, WA (3rd Fleet), or occasionally from Norfolk, VA.
An interesting piece of information - though I must be vague due to classification - is that one or more of the ships deployed with the strike group may or may not be outfitted specifically for anti-ballistic missile missions.
It will all depend from the type of missiles loaded and if the Aegis equipped ships carry or not the specific software for that task....which is , of course, classified. :):)
Someday maybe there'll be a war in which all the elites are killed. That would truly be the war to end all wars.
If all the "elites" were killed would that be the end of the "elites"?
Or would young "retards" (Hangover pronunciation) like you make a run for the position?
Based on what? Your middling intelligence? Sub-par verility? Superior bitterness? Or do real men have chunks of guys like you in their stools?
His avatar is prettier than you, ergo....
"prettier"? I'm going to wear one more pair of unerwear...backwards.
I didn't mean to get in the middle of some steamy Barney Frank shit...
Sorry...
Please elaborate, I thrive on abuse. ;)
Hopefully the world cup will be over before the war starts. New Moon is July 11th. Tish B'Av (the ninth day of the jewish month of Av) is the usual day of jewish catastrophes, historically, like the destruction of the temples.
That is July 19th this year.
I have heard these rumours of attacking Iran, and carrier movements in the Gulf for years now. At least for 6 years anyway.
More of the same or the real deal?
Whatever.
.
LMAO,
Apocalypse Never
http://exiledonline.com/war-nerd-apocalypse-never/
Zen,
That is the point, don't you see? Saddam was a bad guy for 12 years (1991 till 2003) before he was attacked.
Iran has been relentlessly demonized for, 5-6 years now, give or take?
In this age of compressed time, now people are sub-consciously begging for it. Look at our friend Gully, get it over with!
Once they have enough sheeple baying for Iranian blood on whatever trumped up rationale, then it will happen.
When you control everything, illusion is easy.
All that said though, there is an inevitability to human folly that is and has been our un-doing, again and again and again.
No different this time.
When the out descends into chaos, the only peace is with-in.
Finding that peace is a whole other battle though.
And time is short. Very short.
ORI
http://aadivaahan.wordpress.com