Navy ships escorting U.S.-flagged merchants in strait

Navy Times — Fri, 01 May 2015 11:59:48 -0400

From: Navy Times

Navy ships in the Persian Gulf are accompanying U.S.-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's recent seizure of one cargo ship and its harassment of another in international waters, a defense official has confirmed to Navy Times.

A dozen ships are operating in the area and capable of providing support, the official said on Thursday. U.S. warships frequently transit the strait, but it is more unusual for the U.S. to routinely convoy U.S.-flagged merchants through.

The warships include ships with the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which entered 5th Fleet three weeks ago and spent several days in the waters off Yemen, a show of force that compelled Iranian ships to turn around.

The official was unable to elaborate on tasking for the ships, which include:

Coastal patrol ships Whirlwind, Monsoon, Typhoon, Thunderbolt and Firebolt.
The minesweeper Devastator.
The destroyers Milius, Farragut, Winston S. Churchill and Paul Hamilton.
The cruiser Normandy.
The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt.
The move, first reported by Defense One, comes as tensions rise in the region, with news that Iranian navy ships harassed one U.S.-flagged shipping vessel in international waters and later boarded a Marshall Islands cargo ship, a country under U.S. protection.

Only a week before, the TR and members of its strike group converged off the coast of Yemen, as rumors swirled that Iranian cargo ships were bringing in weapons to arm the Houthi rebels in their clash against the U.S.-backed Yemeni government.

The Defense Department is not communicating with Iran, and the country's motives are, "not clear to the Department of Defense," Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters Wednesday.

"It's difficult to know why the Iranians are operating this way," he said said. "We certainly call on them to respect all of the internationally established rules of freedom of navigation, the Law of the Sea, to which they are a signatory, and other established protocols."

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/04/30/navy-persian-gulf-iran-cargo-ships-roosevelt-strike-group/26646393/

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 1 at 2015 12:01 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:01:06 -0400

Another shooting war in the Middle East.

/sarcasm on/

Yay! Just what I wanted!

/sarcasm off/

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 3:10 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 May 2015 15:10:58 -0400

SNAFU. This issue with Iran has been brewing since 79. It's time it was brought to a final closure.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 1 at 2015 8:12 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 01 May 2015 20:12:12 -0400

Tanker War part 2....and go!

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made May 2 at 2015 8:59 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Sat, 02 May 2015 08:59:38 -0400

Now we all see what a weak President gets us. If our President was a strong leader Iran would NOT even consider messing with US Shipping, but because he draws Redlines that he lets others cross and does nothing they feel like IF they do board a US Ship he will do NOTHING to stop them

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made May 2 at 2015 2:43 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Sat, 02 May 2015 14:43:44 -0400

I don't see how "It's difficult to know why the Iranians are operating this way" as stated by Col. Steven Warren. I mean come on Iran was never friendly to the US even when they were getting arms and weapons from us before. Does anyone really think that things are going to change anytime soon?
Iran is a terrorist nation and I cannot comprehend why our government refuses to accept this fact.
I hope that those ships commanding officers have a clear set of rules of engagement and are not left with their hands tied behind their backs. We do not need another USS STARK (FFG 31) incident. And yes it was Iraq that attacked the Stark but we all know that Iran is bat crap crazy.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Oct 10 at 2015 6:18 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 18:18:59 -0400

Sorry cant delete this and forgotten I had already posted here