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The destroyer USS Sterett escorts the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during a transit through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.
ABOARD THE USS CAPE ST. GEORGE – More than 31,000 ships transit the Strait of Hormuz every year, traveling between the Persian Gulf and the North Arabian Sea. Among those are U.S. Navy warships, operating throughout the region to conduct exercises and to support the war in Afghanistan.
But don’t let the numbers fool you … while transiting the Strait is common, it is far from simple – especially as tensions with Iran continue to rise.
Since the Strait of Hormuz is only about 24 miles wide, the critical waterway is both contentious and dangerous to cross. Countries can claim up to 12 miles off their shores as their own territorial water – and since the strait is wedged between Iran and Oman, it is a particularly tricky zone.
Three U.S. Navy ships traveled through the strait together on Tuesday: the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, the destroyer USS Sterett, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George. NBC News was there and got a first-hand look at the careful, deliberate Navy maneuver.
The transit actually began inside the Persian Gulf, went through Oman’s territorial water, traveled through the so-called "knuckle" (the nickname for the narrowest part of the Strait which includes a sharp turn where Oman sticks out), and continued in to the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea. At a speed that ranges between 20 and 30 knots, the entire route took more than 10 hours to complete.
An Iranian patrol boat approached a U.S. aircraft carrier, backing down within two miles from the USS Abraham Lincoln. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports from the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Beyond the challenge of navigating the Strait, the recent escalation of rhetoric and increasingly tense relationship between the U.S. and Iran has brought even more concerns for the Navy as they operate in the area. Iran recently threatened to close the strait in retaliation for tighter Western sanctions.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy operates submarines and war ships throughout the Gulf, and they often send out small boats to harass U.S. Navy ships.
These Iranian boats, which the U.S. Navy calls FIACs, are just small motorboats with mounted machine guns. Despite the fact the U.S. warships literally dwarf these tiny boats, U.S. military officials worry that just one of these FIACs loaded with explosives could do significant damage to a U.S. aircraft carrier. The cruiser and the destroyer provide protection for the carrier – they are the muscle.
On board the USS Cape St. George, sailors manned their stations as early as 2 a.m. to prepare for the day of the transit. Gunners took up their positions around the ship. The Cape St. George also has a massive missile capability (cruise missiles,harpoons, and more), so it was prepared to strike at threats both in the air and on the seas, if necessary.
Around 7 a.m., one of the ship's helicopters took off from the Cape St. George to provide surveillance during the mission. The helicopter was loaded with half a dozen Hellfire missiles when it took off.
The USS Sterett took the lead, staying about 2,000 yards in front of the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln. Tasked with protecting the carrier, the USS Cape St. George stayed about 2,000 yards behind the Lincoln, ready to react to any threats.
The first several hours were uneventful. The three ships passed several commercial cargo ships along the way. All the while U.S. helicopters flew ahead, warning the ships of any threats.
Just as the ships closed in on the most difficult part of the transit – the so-called knuckle – a U.S. Predator spotted an Iranian F-27. Just minutes later, the Iranian surveillance plane flew along the starboard side of the ship. While this is fairly routine, as soon as the surveillance plane came in to sight, sailors all across the bridge grabbed binoculars and ran outside to catch a glimpse.
The F-27 flew right by the ships without any incident.
Jumana El Heloueh / Reuters
A helicopter from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln hovers over an Iranian patrol ship during a transit through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.
After the plane disappeared, an Iranian patrol boat appeared as just speck on the horizon.
A sailor on the bridge of the Cape St. George estimated the boat was at least five miles away. "It's heading right for the Abe," another sailor said, referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Suddenly the bridge was buzzing with energy again. Some sailors held binoculars and studied the ship, while others picked up phones and radios. U.S. helicopters headed toward the boat and radioed information about the craft. Suddenly, when the boat was just about two miles away from the U.S. ships, it changed course and headed away from the carrier.
Despite the fact the potential threat seemed to be over, the bridge continued to buzz and binoculars remained pointed in that direction for several minutes after the boat disappeared.
Aside from the occasional direction to change speed or check how far the Cape St. George was behind the Abe, the bridge quieted a bit. Minutes passed without incident. A minute turned into an hour. The crew ate fruit and pop tarts Pop Tarts and drank coffee.
Then the radio crackled, a phone rang, and someone said that six or seven fast boats were heading right for the Abe.
The tiny boats were tough to see as they went speeding along the horizon, disappearing every few seconds when they found the bottom of a wave. In fact, the easiest way to keep track of the boats was to look for the U.S. helicopters overhead.
Several of the boats sped right in front of the Sterett. One sailor said they cut less than 2,000 yards in front of the destroyer. After they made it to the other side of the U.S. convoy, one of the boats, lagging behind, tried to cut in between the Sterett and the Abe.
That was a little too close for comfort, so a helicopter fired off a flare in the direction of the boat, causing it to turn off and away from the carrier.
The bridge was alive with excitement. Were they Iranian boats? Were they Revolutionary Guard? Several minutes passed before the captain said they were likely smugglers and did not appear to be armed. But just about every sailor on the bridge was smiling at the excitement.
The transit was nearing the end and the crew seemed to take a collective deep breath. About one hour later the ship’s Capt. Don Gabrielson, addressed the ship over the PA system, congratulating them for a job well done.
The sailors returned to their normal duties and began to prepare for their next mission, conducting flight operations over Afghanistan. They were scheduled to begin flights the very next day.
Despite the fact the transit was safe and somewhat uneventful, the sailors seemed pleased.
“I got to see fireworks!” one sailor said, referring to the flares and smiling wide.
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I had the privilege a few years ago to spend 24 hours on the Lincoln while she was on a training mission for reserve pilots. It is an amazing machine capable of projecting instant death any time required. The crew was proud and professional, and this never in the military American came away impressed with the power of our military and the quality of its people. It's an experience I'll never forget and wish every American could have.
We have to agree with you. Mind you: I am always with soldiers and veterans.
But I strongly oppose wasting poor soldiers and their families lives for the most ungrateul barbarians, beasts and bigoted Sunni rulers like Saudi Arabia and co and Pakistan.
Let us come to realities.
First Iraqi war started in 1991 and then again 2003. Why could not the NATO forces win there with all precisions on earth?
In Afghanistan, there are hardly 30000 Islamic militants.
Despite having an ally on war on terror with nukes, Pakistan and after all 11 years of bravery, precisions, exact locations and so on, why NATO forces are not able to do much in Afghanistan.
The situation is worse or similar at best as before 11 years.
After having broken plates and debris scattered all around, now Iran and Syria are on plates!
While our military is patrolling around there , they should be trolling for fish ....
The helicopters could be looking out for schools to catch ....
If you really want to be impressed visit a Military Cemetary, or the Vietnam Memorial, or anywhere else where our honored dead repose. This is where the real might of the United States lies.
“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh
Yep and this joy ride will cost us at the gas pump.
Oh please! This was not a "joy ride" as you call it. Every time our U.S Navy ships transverse the Strait of Hormuz, Iran plays this same game. Your gas prices are in no way effected by this.
Maybe if the media would not report every little incident the speculators would stop causing the price of oil to jump, it would help if we had a president that would put a stop to speculators. if he cant control a small group of greedy people how can he maintain any type of world order. Reminds me of the Spanish American war,who really blue up the USS Main and what did it have to do with the price of sugar? its always something. but in this situation its a radical religious freak that just spews hate and wants power, as pushy as they are without power how pushy do you think they will be when they get it, do you want to wait and find out. I think we are headed for disaster and the longer we wait the worse it will be, I hope our President is setting the stage for whatever happens, the faster we act the fewer the casualties. at some point something stupid is sure to happen, Iran is not going to buckle under. History is repeating its self again.
I just hope no one on either side does anything stupid.
When followers of most religions and others (atheists and others) are moving forward, many followers of Islamic cult are moving backwards at a fast rate.
Some Islamic religious nuts have become real samples in the world, which the world has never seen!
With such people at the helm in most of the ME nations, stupid actions will be common and most stupid actions can also be expected.
Let us worry about ourselves at home and recover from the mess in the US, Britain and many European nations. It will take at least a decade.
Meanwhile, let these Islamic mad people jump in ME in whatever directions they want! Let us enjoy from the sidelines.
For those who do not know FIAC = fast inshore attack craft, not f**ken Iranian a**hole creepers, although the crews may include a few.
Are they really trying to say the only real threat to our carrier is the FIAC's? That's a joke!
The real threat are multiple shore launched missiles of a much larger variety than anything carried by an aircraft. Honestly, I don't know how they would stop even one of these missiles, let alone several of them. It's not like these ships have something like the patriot anti-missile systems... or maybe I'm wrong. Does anyone know?
I mean, how are missiles not the big threat here? The straight is 24 miles wide.. if they have missile installations anywhere close, the time from launch to impact has to be VERY SHORT.. how would we even have time to react to the missile launch?
The ships also have anti missle Phalanx systems, but you are correct, multiple missile attacks would get through the defenses. The coast of Iran is full of fixed and mobile missile sites, and Iran also has very large long range missile ability's. The war that is coming in this region will be very ugly to say the least which is contrary to what some young arm chair cowboy warriors would say. I exspect to be seeing their posts soon with the usual "Nuke em until they glow" and what not else nonsense. Remember "Mission Accomplished" and four years later we were in the middle of a surge. Same thing here only much, much worse.
Jonathan - I simply cannot fathom your thought process with regard to the Middle East and the Islamic religion.
First off, bad as some of the Islamic leaders may be, in particular the religious clique ruling Iran, they do not hold a candle to the evil and the danger once represented by Adolf Hitler, or even that of a Stalin.
You need to open a history book, or Google World War II, rather than just parade your ignorance in print.
Secondly, not all Islamic nations are ruled by crazy religious ideologues, like Ahmadinejad, or by megalomaniacs, like Saddam Hussein. Some have responsible governments. Turkey has been representative democracy since the 1920s.
Lastly, as for leaving these nations alone to, "jump in ME in whatever directions they want!", prior to the 9/11/2001 attacks that was precisely our policy with regard to Afghanistan, a poor, chaotic and obscure nation that few Americans could not easily locate on the map ...prior to 2001. The chaos and violence present in such regions has a way of not staying within national borders.
Moreover, in case you haven't noticed, most of the world's oil reserves are located in countries like Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and a great deal of the world's oil supply passes through the Straights of Hormuz. While we get most of imported oil from Canada or Mexico, we are not immune to fluctuations in the world's oil supply. Simply put, if the Middle East oil spigot were ever turned off, we would very quickly be paying $10.00 per gallon for good o'l 87 octane gasoline.
We are in the Middle East because our national security and economic interests demand it.
And the Muslims are not all crazy fanatics, intent on dying for Allah, if they can take one or two infidels with them. Most are just people, with lives and families. Nothing more.
Michael Anderson - I would agree that a war with Iran would neither desirable nor painless. But I disagree with your assessment of Iran's military capability.
If the shooting starts, Iran could conceivably inflict some damage on one or two ships, but only a great cost to itself. It would also give the U.S. a reason to target suspected nuclear facilities within the country.
But, I do not believe that either side desires a shooting conflict. Iran is posturing, both to let the U.S. know that our interventions will not be without some cost, and to rally support at home for a regime whose popularity is plainly fading. The U.S. is intent in letting Iran [and the world] know that we will not allow them to jeopardize sea traffic in the Persian Gulf, nor will we be swayed from our course of imposing more stringent sanctions on their country.
I've no problem with the United States actions in this regard. Of course, there is always a chance that somebody, at any level of command, and on either side, could lose their head and do something to start the shooting. But I have trust in U.S. Military discipline to prevent this from happening from our side, and I think that Iranian forces, too, have their marching orders.
dman: It does not make much difference.
After all you are supposed to give lies, spins, blames and excuses to whatever crimes Islamic religious beasts to do. Here Sunnis are the worst ever!
Jonathan, you are the one stepping adroitly around facts and well known history.
You can lead a horse to water,
But you can't make it drink.
You can lead a man to knowledge,
But you cannot make him think.
XDollz, the aircraft carrier and the destroyer escorts have quite an array of top of the line anti-missle defense systems and the best people manning them. Only trouble is, with the numbers that the Iranians have on shore, its a matter being able to knock them all outta the sky.
Like the carriers in WWII found out, you can put up a wall of lead that makes seem like nothing can get through, but some eventually will.
You have to put your trust in the military men and women to do their absolute best to keep that from happening, and trust the rest to God or Dumb Luck,
dman: Great sermons and Ramadan style soap operas after committing all crimes since the birth of that Islamic cult in a desert in seventh century.
Contributions of you people to place and nation are negative only. You people are liabilities in non-Muslim nations dragging a society and nation backwards.
Followers of Islamic cult have done only rapings, stealing, lootings, killings, genocides and when about to be defeated do nice Ramadan style soap operas since the birth of the barbaric and beastly cult!
If infidels are not there, then you people do them among yourselves! That is the reality in most of the Muslim nations Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Yemen and some more to name a few.
Nigeria, Sudan are some of the nations you people are dragging backwards.
If the knowledge is also acquired by reading books from right to left, then the whole world looks up side down.
Dirtiest swamp looks and feels like a heaven.
I am not sermonizing, Jonathan, just using logic, a mental tool apparently foreign to your makeup.
To refer to all of Islam as evil, or to the recent wave of Islamic terrorists as, "real samples in the world, which the world has never seen!", is to ignore most recent world history, and to misrepresent the majority of the people who hold to that faith.
I've tried to point that out to you, but use of logic on some people is a pointless as explaining the color green to a blind man.
BTW: Although you imply that I am a Muslim, I am not. I was born right here in the United States. No doubt what makes me seem foreign to you is that I have learned to think.
The problem with Jonathans post/ comment is we are not on the sidelines.
Just Remember People
We may hear this over and over,But its our armed service members that are in harms way,And you might not like the news .these brave men and women are there and alone,to protect all.The news really serves us all to remember the lives of our service members and never forget while we live our daily lives ,they are surviving theirs with all they have.The next time you get bored with the repeated news .just take a moment during a repeat and say a prayer for the ones in harms way.
Rich, I agree 100% with everything you said.
Amen
Rich, Thank you for your post!! I have a grandson over in Afghanistan right now...he has a family of his own ... but ... he is a career Marine and is doing his duty in trying to protect us from these religious fanatics. I don't know any answers at all............but we never should have gone there...to Iraq OR Afghanistan. It has solved nothing and I'm afraid that the fanatical Islamic monsters will never, never change. Just like some Christians..........they do not see 'reason' but have these fanatical beliefs that do harm and not good. Just like those so called Christians that denomstrated at a military funeral..how horrific for the families to have to hear these people chanting their hate. Even their little innocent children carried terrible words on posters. I just don't understand how hateful and horrible human beings can be....but....I think at least, that Christians do not strap on bombs and seek out innocdent people to kill...or....send their children to do their dirty work. AM I WRONG???
Here's a idea...
LET'S GET OUT OF HARMS' WAY.
I'm proud as well of our service people. But why put them in a situation where they are antogonizing some other country?
The U.S. can make the world a much better place by refocusing our efforts from military intervention to innovation and development of new energy technologies...technologies the entire world is dying for.
If someone goes too far with current policies, we're going to have a much, much bigger problem than a $16 trillion dollar national debt.
Well said Rich.
Thank you NAVY.
Carry on.
Amen to Rich, Eliyahu, and Fred. To all our service members in harm's way--you are doing a great job. My deepest thanks.
Yes, it is not the politicians or the diplomats that keeps us safe an secure, it is the brave Americans that volunteer to put themselves in harm's way! The Politicians and diplomats contribution will determine if their's and the sacrifice of their families was in vain! Politics be damned, protect and support our military!
Stop settling short of the goal just so a political statement can be made! It only creates a bigger mess to clean up down the road. Look to history and Neville Chamberlain n, British Prime Minister prior to WW II and his politics of appeasement that led him to the make the statement, " We will finally have peace within our time!" in March of 1938, after the attempt to appease the German Government. What happened in September of 1939??? No one ever started a war because their opponent was too strong!
I miss the battleships. They had enough armor to not worry about the FIAC's and i doubt Silkworm missiles would do much damage to them. As long as they have air cover and subs to keep away the torpedoes the could go where they wanted. Any surface craft that would dare mess with em wouldnt be around long.
Yeah, I agree with Rich, I love my Canadian Army but I would be surprised if we could hold our own without the US being the good neighbors that thay are
Jack Thanks for that comment,But we are close neighbors and will always be.You have The Canadian Army and we have the US army.But the only thing to remember is we have your back and know you have ours.We will if attacked fight as one.I love Canada and the people,as my ancestors came to Canada from France and then into the USA
I bet things are tense on our boats over there right now. Don't forget, most times the only news those crewmen receive is 2nd and 3rd hand news a day or two later. They don't always have the latest headlines.
I can guarantee the first thought on those crewmembers' mind was "just make one wrong fawking move". lol.
Well done NAVY, very professional conduct.
There is going to be a great loss of life I fear if and when Iran is either attacked or provoked to retaliate be it by the US or Israel.
I really hope this crisis will not escalate more then it has to date, but I fear that in the coming months or weeks there could be a huge war, and one that could bring Russia or China and even Pakistan into the picture.
This possible Iranian crisis is going to cost many billions of dollars not to mention thousands of human lives from all sides involved.
Like I said I strongly feel this war might possibly spark something much more dangerous then any war seen since the days of WW2.
JMPO someone needs to try and calm this situation down before all hell breaks loose.
Right now Iran will not back down.
The US will not back down.
Israel will not back down.
As for Russia and China if they get involved I would assume that they both would not back away.
As for Pakistan that one is still up for grabs.
End of story:No one is going to back down, this means a full scale war.
Those who fear war the most are those who do not live to write about it. I don't have all of the information about the situation in the Middle East, I trust that people in charge have a much better and clearer picture of what is going on.Unless one is completely cut off from reality, our Government must be in constant contact with Russia and China about our strategic plans for the gulf. China is just as dependent on a open Straits as any other Nation, it is more dependent on trade with the US than it is with Iran. Russia's interest in Iran or any Country in the Mid East is peripheral at best. It is supposed to be a world leader and it cannot sit by and not put its two cents in, but most of what it has to say is lip service and posturing.As for Pakistan a little come uppance for Iran will only put it in a more favorable position as a power broker in the Mid East. My guess is that Iran is in a very awkward position, similar to Iraq under Saddam. It cannot prevent a complete destruction of its nuclear facilities and it is propagandizing another "mother of all wars" scenario. Saber rattling at best, and a lot of those who cry no war are taken in by this rhetoric, hook line and sinker. In summation, we have written our version of every war we were ever in.
The Iranian leadership are provoking a confrontation because they know that USA cannot afford a third war front. So what do they do, they are becoming a nuissance to the world. You ignore them, the more they try to get your attention.
Let's hope world leaders will not fall for this provocation. Whatever is the projected war scenario, that will not be good for this unstable global economy.
Red, You'd be surprised to know different. Iran and any other country that rattles a sword at the US and our allies know that America CAN afford a war anyplace, anytime, with anyone. I served and know it firsthand. I go all the way back to Pol Pot and the Karen, through the Lebanese Wars, the Balkans and Beyond. Do You? If America can maintain a presence it can absoulety afford war. I've got mucho moons in the Middle East with the local folks that really make up the color of life, those who don't have a say how their lives play out. Ask youself why are the vast majority of troops taken out of Iraq sitting it out nextdoor in Kwait? Get the picture now? Throughout history, nations have maintained a military might even if it meant their citizens starved. Spain, Rome, Germany, Japan. Britts, Russia, China, Korea, etc. A nation can't even establish a presence without having the immediate means to fund a war! More than ANYONE, Iran knows that America CAN fund ANY war that may come her way. What Iran is betting on is drumming up support from Russia and China. Iran has pissed off all its neighbors drawing heat. The Russkies and Chinese are more than likely to give little as these two have lost out in establishing a Naval base in the Med. Syria was their best and only bet. China and Russia will indeed suffer when the rest of the free world starts dropping economic sanctions on them too. Again we return to starving in exchange for a military might. Iran is a pressure cooker starting to vibrate. Assman-needs-a-jab is nothing more than the mouthpiece for the Grey Beards who decide the direction Islam goes. They know that the time is coming where they have to prove themselves. After all, the Gray Beards absolutely know Iran has the largest ingredient for an internal change the other way. A hugely young-aged, extremely educated populace. Remember, Iran's military is made up of folks forced into serving vs. a VOLUNTEERING military! Bottom line, Red, you will starve so that you can pay for that ammo for your gun. Again, Red, it helps to have a real working knowledge from real experience in that area. Like others posting,quit passing lines put together by what the bought-and-paid-for Media tells you. Get some experience with the real folks in that area, you words will mean more! One does not go out of their way to piss some one off without willing to fight it out.
maybe i missed something ,but it was INSTIGATED by our own navy , to DARE IRAN to make a move. 1 of the crewman was happy he got to see fireworks . sounds like they are already going to attack iran no ifs ands or buts about it .The COMMIE Z.O.G. who are causing these problems away from our own shores should be hung for treason. its hard to figure out if anyone who thinks this is acceptable is either a crazed idiot bible (lie) thumper , or just a blood thirsty insane idiot waiting to read the headlines "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" while they are drinking beer and waiting for the next game to come on T.V. too many of my family are in the millitary and it pisses me off that all these problems are for EVIL-IS-REAL ,because we are there only ally ,except for germany paying restitution for the holo-lie ,and england after the irgun attacked them in palestine now england does what ever the bankers and evil-is-real tell them to do .who ever attacks iran and puts my family in harms way better not hope i get ahold of there traitorous hide .
Hey Bigg Butt,
After they do shock and Awe on Iran lets hope they turn the plans on you and others like you.
Kudos to the Military and George Bush
How is this NOT acceptable? This has been an international waterway since FOREVER.
So, you're defending Iran - a country that is modern day example of the Nazis.. what with their "DEATH TO AMERICA, DEATH TO ISRAEL" rallies.. in fact, total intolerance for anyone who is not a Shiite Muslim MAN... (yes, the discriminate even within their own religion and down to the gender!)..
Yes, let's look at the wonderful Palestinians... one of the poorest countries on Earth with one of the highest birth rates - just like Afghanistan (4th highest birth rate on Earth). How irresponsible of these people to have such a high birth rate.. but of course it serves Islam very well. These kids in such a poor society turn to violent religion for support and the Muslims get their "soldiers" for their "glorious" fight against Israel. AND THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE CONTINUES WITH EACH NEW GENERATION!
IRAN is the aggressor. IRAN is the country that refuses to live in peace. I suggest that the regime in IRAN listen to the people who have been demonstrating for democracy and open, free elections in IRAN!
@bigbutt crack You did pick a perfect name cause that is exactly where you is firmly and probably permentalty incased.
Glad to see someone else remembering Jackass Bush's comment "Mission Accomplished" as he 'parades' aboard a ship about a mile out to see...what an A hole!! AND, those posters who admonish BIGButt.. we all know that these waters are 'internation waters' but iran seems to think they belong to them. Our country'Navy was showing them the error of their ways. They DID NOT start bombing away like Bush did with his *(*&&^ Shock and Awe attack. Open your eyes and think before you post again. Iran started it with 'daring' others to us that 'Internation Strait/Waters'.. Should we sit back and put hour heads up wehre the sun don't shine? Nobody is starting a war people....just showing that we cannot be bullied into anything that isn't true. The Straits are International and we're just showing that.
BiggButt, you sound like a Troll straight out of IRNA. Please get your mullahs over the media to edit your posts a little better. The spelling and use of run-on sentences is atrocious.
Leave BB alone...he's expressing his opinion. He sounds somewhat knowledgable as well.
I've seen enough war and killing. We do not make progress this way.
We can always resort to our devastatingly effective military if we must...the point is, these people have nothing we need.
Planting seeds of peace and knowledge will yield far greater benefits to us all.
You are a @!$%#ing idiot!!! BIGBUTT - what a great name for a LOSER!! People like you are what is wrong with this world. My son is in the military and I hope you never have to run into him!!!! If you really think Iran is so great good for you - but a lot of people in this world dont agree. Quit with the posturing and sending your little boats after our cruisers - Iran is the country who is being inflammatory and posturing.
Mind you I hope my son never has to run into you Big Butt, your family, relatives or preferably anyone in the middle east. My comment was made because I believe the US has the greatest military might in the world. I do not want to see us pushed and pulled into a war because of Iran and Israel. I also dont want to see him in Afghanistan either. I would prefer he stay in the good ole USA and the middle east countries can have all the issues they want. Unfortunately that is not the way it will work. I pray every night for a peaceful earth where everyone can live and prosper. Not a world where there are wars and killing every day. Keep praying and keep the faith.
C'mon, folks. Let him have a say! There's no requisite in grammar to post! Bhaskie, that's weak. You don't own or make literary policy on the Vine. A voice is a voice, dude! Let me respond, please. Big, if you live in a neighborhood (the world) and some of them at the opposite end of the block (another nation) has a beef with another neighbor, your bud (where you get your goodies) causing you to miss out on your source, you're gonna see what's up, right? It's too far (other side of the ocean) for you to go 'cuz ya gotta keep your house from being burglarized (gangsters) so you call your bud that lives near the pissed-off dude to investigate why you cant get anymore goodies. So he does and gets in a jam doing something for you. If you're really a friend to your bud you're gonna walk down there and see what you can do, right? You need your goodies and don't wanna go elsewhere where their quality is suspect or costs more. Especially if ya gotta tread on gangster territory. That's the way of the world, dude. You state that too many members of your family are in the military, I understand that too as I'm the only one who has served. I had to go, it's called the draft. After college graduation they gave me 30 days to report for Induction. They made me a Corpsman with the 2nd Marines and off to Southeast Asia. I left after dancing with the bad guys in the Moondust. That's a lot of moons in the game. Got lots of civvie time in between. GS-15 as needed by Uncle. Big, understand that it's an all volunteer military. Your relatives that sighed up know that they're only as good as the person next to, behind, in front, above and below them. That's the way of the Uniform, dude. The second you do for yourself, they pay. The second they do for themself you pay. I never served with more than 7 other guys. Dressed, spoke and lived with the goat herders, we had the two shortest guys always in a Burka who carried our pistols and com gear. Women were never searched. We even had livestock and a Dungoven of my own all while denying territoy to Tommy Taliban, Eddie Erhabi and Johnnie Jihaddi. Journalists and contractors don't know squat, they are able to run when the heat's on. Unlike those that never served this nation we never talked about how the US was run, who was at it's helm, etc. We only talked about ourselves and how best to insure our survival. WE were it. When $hit hit the fan we knew that only the guy next , behind and in front could save my ass and I theirs. Understand that we looked like the bad guys to ISAF as it was our job to maintain an eyes and ears presence. Had to be one of them to make that cut or instant tortous death. Instead of voicing such a valid yet empty complaint (my opinion only) you might wanto do something about it and serve. Then you'll have available the real experience needed in putting a spine to your opinion.
Dolly, you know nothing about the Pals! They're not even a country you ignorant being! That's the issue!! They're as unwanted by Arabs and Jews alike because of their blend of Arab and European ethnicity. Much like the American Hispanics not liked by the Gringos and Mexican nationals. You're as blind as they come, cerebral cataracts at best when it comes to the Pal issue. Got more time in Lebanon alone than a drunken hillbilly in an outhouse. How irresponsible of you to make that decision. Ever been to Gaza, how about the Ram, West Bank. I delivered 61 babies in them parts to mothers of all factions. They're no different than any other folks ANYWHERE who DON"T HAVE A SAY AS TO HOW THEIR LIVES WILL PLAY OUT!! Know the difference between the factions? Ever lived as one among them. I have. From the Jewish-backed Phalange to the Druise. Christians and beyond. Your statement is as equal as saying Hispanics are all gangters and illegals, or that all white folks are Klansmen or Nazis! This is how it goes, you give us your child we let the whole family live. Don't and you all die. That is how the Hezzies and Hammies get their volunteers, ya jerk! You're just another ignorant American (I assume) enslaved by what the bought-and-paid-for Media tells you! When I served we had a cure for those wanting to come into our AO and forcefully taking kids to don boomer-suits. Ordered and distributed 1800 Tokarev and Browning clone pistols with ammo to the moms. Blue light shoppers lay dead on the streets for months and we slept just fine while other AO's were locked in conflict. I'm more American than you, I can blend in Little Italy anywhere, Little Mexico anywhere, Little Araby Dearborn, Chinatown anywhere and with the Beachboys of Little Odessa, NY. Lived as one of them all. From the squalor of A-STAN to the Ballrooms of Beverly/Encino Hills and everything in between and still won't make such an ignorant statement as you. While I'm at it I'm living along the Arizona/Mexighanistan border in a place called Barrio Sobaco and know more about those playing the Cartel Game form both sides of the line, both sides of the issue and both sides of the law. A real American speaks more than one language, has served in Uniform, can mix and asssimilate anywhere. Obviouslyyou're a failure in that as most who call themselves Americans today are. . Anyhow, I hope you'll be pleased that my wife is from GAZA!! She's a REAL American too! Bet you can't say the same. Paying yer taxes ain't enough to be an AMERICAN!
Sure let get down to what America does best , lets shock and awe , lets bomb away , and well say its beter for us to kill civilians the their own goverment ,We call them a brutal regime but they haven't caught up to the 1/4 million that the Shaw and the CIA did in , and why is it bad that Iran gets one bomb when the real wack jobs in Pakistan have 50+, there the one who will give a nuke to the terrorists
If anyone is going to use a nuke in the middle east area its going be Israel or Pakistan
The world has had nuclear bombs since 1945. The US first, then Russia, then China and since then a handful of other countries. Israel, South Africa, India, Pakistan, North Korea. Not one atomic bomb has been exploded against any Country in the 67 years since Hiroshima. Every Country that has these weapons realizes the folly of using them. Pakistan and India may go to war, but neither Country will use an atomic weapon against the other because to do so would mean a comparable response and complete annihilation for both Countries. North Korea has postured against South Korea many times, but I doubt they are so stupid as to ever attack it with nuclear weapons. That whole peninsula would become a wasteland. Having nuclear capability is akin to a status symbol for a Country, sort of like saying I have a cheauffer driven Limo. Even if Iran did possess a nuclear weapon, it would not dare fire it at Israel. Even if it fired it at another Mid East Country it could expect a full retailiatory attack from a joint US, Russian and Chinese power structure. We could easily destroy all of Iran's nuclear facilities no matter how deep or protected with nuclear weapons, but under a tacit, unspoken world nuclear agreement we must use conventionable bombs to accomplish such a task. Those who await a nuclear war wait in vain.
What kinda scares this old woman is that some radical/crazy/demented Muslim leader like the one in Iran will 'push the button'!! There would be retaliation from perhaps Israel and her allies and then it would spread around the entire world...........It's OK to suggest that so many have the bomb that nobody would dare to use it....huh??? With some of these terrorists it would give them the chance to go to their heaven and have their 74 or whatever virgins. Else why do they constantly strap on bombs, use their children loaded with bombs to seek out and kill innocent people of all faiths...not just in Israel but all voer the world!!!!
One of the biggest damages of a nuke in terrorist hands is that they will get a suicide bomber to set it off in Gaza and make it look like it was some kind of Israeli action or retaliation.
They would then blame Israel and turn the world agains Israel and "the Big Satan", the US, causing the rest of the world to shun Israel and the US as pariahs.
It would not be beyond a Muslim extremist to use other Muslims in such a way. After all, they would all be martyrs and get their reward in the afterlife, wouldn't they?
Anyway, just one of many nightmare scenarios when terrorists get a nuke from either Pakistan or Iran or North Korea.
The story stated the sailors were smiling and laughing and got to see the fireworks. Remember WWII when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and sunk the USS Arizona? Could happen here and then the sailors will have nothing to smile about. Need to get down to business and stop harassing each other.
It did, remember 9/11?
So this story is about US military ships going through the Strait of Hormuz that is about 24 miles wide. Countries can claim up to 12 miles off their shores as their own territorial water – and since the strait is wedged between Iran and Oman I wonder how much of the $1,591,555,000,000 in overseas aid that our President requested in his new 2012 budget goes to Oman to keep the Strait open?
Strait of Harmuz is, under international maritime law, an international water way. This means it is open to all ships to pass through it under "inosent passage" doctirine. The same principle applies to the sraits of Gibrolta and Tiran. So the only money we are spending to keep Harmuz open is on the Navy ships that actualy enforce that international law.
Got a lot of luggage to haul? You pay the Doorman. The Hotel Oman doorman! International Law means nothing when it comes to answering fire with fire. Folks here fail to understand that onboard a ship, there's nowhere to run and hide from direct fire. Reaction time is nil. Sailors have nicer environs (hot grub, clean water, etc.) compared to the grunts in country who can scatter like crackheads in sight of the cops. A ship's location is well known in advance by the enemy before he pushes the monkey-button! As a former 2nd Marine Moondust DirtDoc, my hat's off to the boys manning those ships! I salute them all! I still say they've got the BEST pilots anywhere, best grub (except Clarke AFB, Philippines) there is. That's ass-busting work 18 hours minimum EVERY day to keep them floating castles going. I remembering pulling Corpsman watch aboard the Kennedy looking for anything that'll redline a flight-deckhand. 140 degree heat and no shade for those working the planes! WOW!! Pilots are only as good as those turning the wrenches and valves that run the ship! The Captain can be missing, but not a single Snipe! The COB reigns supreme! His word is the word of GOD and not the Captain's! I could never measure up to that. Dancing with bad guys was cake!
It really cracks me up that the US can't stand most of the countries over there but we have no prob spending hundreds of billions of dollars buying thier oil.It makes me laugh.We can't stand you but we love what you can do for us.If 12 miles is the limit for a countries legal water way we really have no right there without permission the same as thay have no right near our shores without permission..We export oil(gas) but import way more than we export..Why not save some and not export any..Wait wait It's all about money
Where's the news story?
Maybe its time to dig a canal through the Arabian Peninsula projection to eliminate the strait...and allow quicker passage to the ocean....
REF: Freemannogod : to You only.
Sir,
Off all the comments made so far about this article, yours, Sir, is the only voice of rationality and reason. Of clarity of vision and considerable thought. Personally, I do believe that you are correct in your Global or let's say, Regional assessment of the situation... let's even go so far as to say, Inter-Regional.
My own thoughts on the subject are that very recently, Israel succumbed to advice profferred by Iran. No doubt, Iran is seen as a threat; but what most secular Westernists believe in is Atheism, or Agonsticism, at best. Their voting contests over gays/lesbians etc. tell the Musulmans that they do not even consider the Biblical Stories of any worth. As it happens, what was Soddom and Gommorah are now at the bottom of that Sea that has the highest salt content, and there is simply no life in it. ie. it has lost it's power of regeneration, to contain or allow any kind of life form within it. Most people, because they prefer not to read the Words of the Holy Lord, nor to mind it, pay it no heed whatsoever.
Iran has a very interesting history. Before Cyrus, it was Zoroastrian. And before Zoroaster, it was Median. Before that it was and has always been an ancient lieu of God Given Dignity and Honour. I say this because I happen to have read, I am a Religious Scholar, that upon the grounds of modern day Iran/Iraq are buried over 350 Prophets. From Daniel onwards. And the remaining of the Levant, which includes Hebron (final resting place of Lady Sarah, wife to Prophet Abraham) Jerusalem and Nazareth (places of St. John the Baptist and the Crucufixion of Christ Himself) to Mt. Sinai (place of inspiration for Prophet Moses) Mt. Ararat (final resting place of Prophet Noah's Ark) and also it so happens, the River Jordan ( close to which is found the hidden tomb of Prophet Aaron) and then even finally, the peninsula of the Royal Kingdom of Arabie Saudite... for Iran which is Musulman, and for every Muslim who lives upon these Sacred Grounds ... just for that sake, Iran would never, ever consider being Sacrilegious to the Sacred Property off the Good Lord All Mighty. Some call Him Allah. For some it's ELI or Adonai, and for some it's Jehovah. But the Entity is the same.
Every Musulman who has read any of his Sacred Book, the root being Abrahamic, that would be anything from the Five Books of Moses, down to The Book of Ruth, Job, Jeremiah, Zachariah, the Psalms of David, the Ecclesiates or the Song of Solomon, the New Testament, in the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John onwards, and then also the Koran, these are all sacred texts.
The Muslim Ummah would never deign to profane anything that the Good Lord Himself said or Decreed.
So. I tend to believe what the Iranian Nation claims.
We all are witness to the Holocaust of the Jews, and also to the Atomic bomb of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and also as recently as last year, to what happened in Japan.
Sophisticated and cultured as the Persian is, he is not going to be able to justify mass destruction of something sacred. Not to himself. Not to the World. And simply enough. Not even to God. Who is the Ultimate Author of this entire Divine Creation. Of the Void. And through the Void into Contemplation. And through Divine Contemplation, into the Earth and the Firmaments above and below, both numbered seven in layers.
So. Even if you do not believe in a God, that's alright by me, I'm not here to preach or convince, simply it's to much of a waste of energy to argue and counter argue for the sake of discussion or debate, my only interest is in finding the Links between the Sacred Scriptures of the World.
Despite the sensational terror that every one is spreading around the Globe against Iran and Iraq and Kuwait and Oman and Syria, and Pakistan and China etc. Non of these countries have a history of being Sacrilegious towards human values or the Good Earth that they live upon. They respect the Earth because that is what feeds them, through tilling and toiling.
So. I personally don't think that Iran is 'lying' about using Nuclear Safe Energy. But I also believe it has the right to defend itself against any one nation or country that decides to cast a slur upon its Right to be Sovereign upon its own People. That's all.
If other Nations are greedy for its resources, then they should be polite, in the most articulate, polished and polite of manners. And surely they would be conducive to Dialogue.
In the hopes that I have not wasted your time. Because when one person is conducting his mind in a civilized manner, then another civilized human being feels like responding. So. Thank You for provoking me. I guess it's to your credit. But All Grace Belongs to the Good Lord. Amen
The Iranian Dictatorship would gladly commit genocide upon Israel and any infidel they see fit.The fanatical religious Mullah's with there twisted view of the Koran, treat women like dirt slaves with no rights.ALL THEY WANT IS NUCLEAR WEAPONS to facilitate this overall goal of depravity and hate.Since there invasion of the US Embassy,a state of WAR!Has existed.So mush is there regard for Sovereign.All the countries you mention have killed thousands for communism or religion.Syria is shelling women and children in there homes with artillery as we speak.I guess you won't be happy until they been killed.There is proof on U-TUBE of there indiscriminate killing spree.You are condoning the evil that rules Iran for now!But freedom will always win unless Iran uses its nuclear weapons and spoils the land for all Muslim's and other people living in that part of the world which will contaminate the oil even in Russia because they are interconnected in fields underneath the earth you say they respect.The only thing they respect is there own selfish power that they keep buy terrorising there own countrymen,and the poor baby girls and women,with horrible lies and punishment.This makes you as bad as they are and God will be after you personally.And yes you have wasted my time and you have wasted more Innocent lives with your lies!
Perhaps we should use the money these country's pay the U.S. for protection to offset the rising cost of oil. My bad, this is a freebie. Our blood, our treasure, and the reward is crippling oil prices. A fine way to show your appreciation.
If it weren't for the fact that Iran holds the world hostage with their oil exports, they wouldn't get away with any of this little "game" they are playing in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why have we sat back for decades, more and more dependent on foreign oil, when we knew all along eventually it would come to this?
Our leaders have failed us because of their ties to big oil companies and the greed that drives the industry.
How many American lives have we lost because of this single failure?
Mark, was it the "Big Oil Companies" that have stopped drilling for oil that would make the US energy independent while cleaner energy sources are developed and made viable? Was it the "Big Oil Companies" that stopped the Keystone Pipeline that would have brought the West more oil? The oil destined for the pipeline is now going to China, could it possibly be the repayment for the monies "loaned" by China to finance deficit spending?
The United States has the technical capability and capacity to scrub the emissions from fossil fuels to protect the environment while SELF-SUSTAINABLE (not government subsidized) clean energy is being developed. How is the electricity to be produced to refuel all the "clean" electric cars, Mark
While the US oil companies were prohibited from drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, how many other countries continued to drill because the US prohibition had no effect on them?
And who is to blame for this? The people we elected into office to serve and protect us.
Thank you for helping to clarify my point.
I hope IRAN has woken up to the fact they can't win now and talk peace with all countries.
America sure gets jumpy when oil is involved!
Craig-
Aircraft carriers, destoryer and guided-missile carriers do not get jumpy when oil is involved. They get jumpy when armed boats come within 2,000 yards of our aircraft carriers. And we have every right to protect our pieces of sovereign US territory(our ships) from trouble makers like the Iranians. We are just helping them understand that International Maritime Law states that the Srait is International waters. And that we cannot be bullied out of International waters.
There are allot of people out there that have no idea what is coming. Gas at the pump will at least double, if not more. That will definitely hurt our economy while the oil companies rape the american people. I have talked with several people and none of them follow the news. Its sad. I'm not getting caught with my pants down, my belt is tight and I have been preparing for what is coming. I believe that Iraq will look like a walk in the park compared to this. I believe that if a strike is made it needs to be hard and non-stop until someone cries wolf.
What do you want? Capitialism that sells to the highest bidder or Socialists that control private industry? Can't have both!
To Astrolabe only: Back on the meds bud, pronto!
A solid metal projectile, launched on a trajectory indistinguishable from that of a meteor and at a high enough velocity to give it the kinetic energy of a small nuclear weapon, would be the perfect "answer from above" for those who oppress and kill their own people and commit acts of war against other nations in the name of religion. Such a weapon was proposed back in the 1980s and was appropriately named "Rods From God". With the explosive power of a nuke, but without the radiation, I can't imagine some form of it not being built and available for use when the situation warrants it.