NINE WARSHIPS CARRYING 17,000 PERSONNEL HAVE ENTERED THE GULF

[seemslikeadream]

I know there's a couple of threads on Iran today but this, I believe is the headline to take note of

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3403605,00.html


Earlier on Wednesday, nine US warships carrying 17,000 personnel entered the Gulf in what navy officials said was the largest daytime assembly of ships since the 2003 Iraq war.



Two US Aircraft Carriers Reach Gulf Waters - RawStory\AFP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x949242

Iran will resist 'any threat,' defense minister says
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2856334

THE REDIRECTION-By Seymour Hersh-Cheney Brings Us Closer To Confrontation With Iran
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=946082&mesg_id=946082

[kerry-is-my-prez]

1. Anybody heard what Wes Clark has to say about this??

[AndyA]

2. Could this somehow be related to the Dems caving in yesterday?

Perhaps they know something we don't - that a strike against Iran is a done deal at this point?

I hope that isn't the case.

[Individualist]

3. Very likely since congressional dems let the cabal know they can do anything they want.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

35. uh uh. they plan this far in advance.

and just last month, the admiral in charge there said NO to the third carrier group that Cheney wanted. Instead, he rotated one out and brought another in. It takes some time to move 1000 miles when the convoy goes 25 kph.

[onenote]

43. right you are

The nimitz just arrived to replace the eisenhower. They did add the bonhomme richard strike group. Its 2000 plus personnel, when added to the 15,000 in the two carrier groups, is what gets the number up to around 17,000, I believe.

[snappyturtle]

4. I know that is why I too posted it earlier.....Let's keep it kicked!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2856130&mesg_id=2856130

Sounds scary to me! K&R

[BOSSHOG]

5. the deserter showing off his dick again

and yet its not his dick just what he wished it would be. Oh yeah, we can take on Iran and Iraq at the same time while continuing to swing the saber in Korea.

May I suggest buying stock in body bags.

[peacetalksforall]

9. Plus Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and ongoing in Haiti.

[leftchick]

6. aka:sitting ducks

I would hate to see Iran provoked into doing something to the ducks.

[seemslikeadream]

7. I've been waiting for something to happen

I've been waiting for something to happen


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFowNFvmUxw

I've been waiting for something to happen
For a week or a month or a year
With the blood in the ink of the headlines
And the sound of the crowd in my ear
You might ask what it takes to remember
When you know that youve seen it before
Where a government lies to a people
And a country is drifting to war

And theres a shadow on the faces
Of the men who send the guns
To the wars that are fought in places
Where their business interest runs

On the radio talk shows and the t.v.
You hear one thing again and again
How the u.s.a. stands for freedom
And we come to the aid of a friend
But who are the ones that we call our friends--
These governments killing their own?
Or the people who finally can't take any more
And they pick up a gun or a brick or a stone
There are lives in the balance
There are people under fire
There are children at the cannons
And there is blood on the wire

Theres a shadow on the faces
Of the men who fan the flames
Of the wars that are fought in places
Where we cant even say the names

They sell us the president the same way
They sell us our clothes and our cars
They sell us every thing from youth to religion
The same time they sell us our wars
I want to know who the men in the shadows are
I want to hear somebody asking them why
They can be counted on to tell us who our enemies are
But they're never the ones to fight or to die
And there are lives in the balance
There are people under fire
There are children at the cannons
And there is blood on the wire


OMG! Iran has a secret plan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x941127

Bush's Inconceivable Interest in Iran Sat Apr-01-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=819437

Senior U.S. Officials “Want to Hit Iran” Tue Apr-04-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=844418

Larisa Alexandrovna: CHENEY TAPS IRANIAN ARMS DEALER FOR IRAN TALKS Thu Apr-20-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=977234

Seymour Hersh said something startling about Rumsfeld on Democracy Now Fri Aug-18-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1936421

So former DLC, PNAC member Abram Shulsky feeding Cheney info on Iran?Sat Aug-19-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1944614

Fuck. Iran has started "war games." Escalation may only be expected.Sun Aug-20-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1949812

Attack on Iran is Coming Sun Aug-27-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=1993284

"Grave threat". Yes, it's deja vu all over again. Thu Aug-31-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2022620

UN attacks US nuclear report on Iran erroneous misleading unsubstantiated Sun Sep-17-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2159951

We Are Conducting Military Operations Inside Iran Right Now Tue Sep-19-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2168218

Navy told: Prepare to blockade Iran by Oct 1 Mon Sep-18-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2161779

Pentagon Iran Office Mimics Former Iraq Office Wed Sep-20-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2179484

“This is the largest massing of military power in the region, and it is gathering for a reason.” Sat Nov-18-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2753952

Seymour Hersh: Cheney Says 'Whether Or Not Dems Win-NO STOPPING Military Option With Iran' Sun Nov-19-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2757350

Does anyone still believe the US will launch a full scale invasion of Iran? Mon Dec-04-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2856177

Saudi clerics rally support for Sunnis and Saudi ambassador Abruptly ResignsTue Dec-12-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2902643

Act III in a Tragedy of Many Parts - The US Occupation of Iraq Sun Dec-17-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2935498

Century Foundation Iran White Paper Series Fundamentalists, Pragmatists and the Rights of the Nation Tue Dec-19-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2948146

Oh shit Tue Dec-19-06
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2944423


KBR has been planning the invasion of IRAN since 2003
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3108489&mesg_id=3108489

Russian Admiral Says U.S. Navy Prepares Missile Strike on Iran
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3128152

while Bush sets his plans in motion to orchestrate a war with Iran.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x3127918

NYT: 'Newly Revealed Orders" Issued By Bush Show US Has Opened A "Third Front Against Iran"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3122346&mesg_id=3122346

Iran? Just had dinner with a ranking Navy Officer from one of our gulf bound Carrier Groups
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=3108967

US military strike on Iran seen by April ’07; Sea-launched attack to hit oil, N-sites
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=3118092

The most dangerous George Bush is one who feels weak, powerless and under attack
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=3118627

Isn't it a definitive act of war for one country to storm the consulate of another, threaten to kill
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=3095978

[mmonk]

8. Well he isn't going to congress for approval.

All provisions asking him to have been stricken, essentially giving the idea its ok by them.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. Well, we are at war with Iran.

Ever since the U.S. attacked last April 6th, it makes sense to send in more forces.

[peacetalksforall]

11. Can someone explain - did a new ship arrive and the ones that

were there moved? Or are there 9 new ones IN ADDITION to the ones that are already there? Anyone have a diagram of what is where?

[seemslikeadream]

13. here's the reuters article

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL239406620070523?src=052307_1135_TOPSTORY_iran_defies_deadline&pageNumber=2

SHOW OF FORCE

The maneuver comes less than two weeks after U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking aboard the Stennis during a tour of the Gulf, said Washington would stand with others to prevent Iran gaining nuclear weapons and "dominating the region".

The United States accuses Iran of trying to produce nuclear weapons, and has sought tougher U.N. sanctions against Iran. Iran says its nuclear ambitions are for energy purposes only.

U.S. and Iranian ambassadors are due to meet on Monday in Baghdad to discuss security in Iraq, where the United States has accused Iran of fomenting violence. Iran denies the accusations.

On the way to the straits, a public announcement called on crew to witness "some of the most powerful ships in the world", whose tight formation against a backdrop of the setting sun created a dramatic image of American naval might.



Surprise Show of Force in Gulf
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,274955,00.html



Nine U.S. Warships in Gulf for Show of Force

By MOHAMMED ABBAS, REUTERS, ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS


The largest daytime assembly of U.S. warships in the Gulf since the 2003 Iraq war prepared on May 23 to hold drills off Iran’s coast in a major U.S. show of force that unnerved oil markets.
U.S. Navy officials said Iran was not notified of plans to sail nine ships, including two aircraft carriers, through the Straits of Hormuz, a narrow channel in international waters off Iran’s coast and a major artery for global oil shipments.
The maneuver raises pressure on the Islamic Republic, coinciding with a report by the U.N. atomic watchdog on Iran’s nuclear program, which could lead to tougher sanctions.
Oil climbed towards $70 as the U.S. ships sailed into the straits, through which 40 percent of globally traded oil passes.
Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, who is leading the group, said the ships would conduct exercises as part of a long-planned effort to reassure regional allies of U.S. commitment to Gulf security.
"There’s always the threat of any state or non-state actor that might decide to close one of the international straits, and the biggest one is the Straits of Hormuz," he told reporters on board the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2779676&C=mideast

[Ghost Dog]

20. See also DebkaFile here:

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=4224

... the Bonhomme Richard LHD 6, the world’s biggest amphibious strike force. Iran was not notified of the planned arrival.

/...

[moodforaday]

22. Bonhomme Richard?!

I know it's a historical reference, but for a while I thought they named a naval group after Cheney... :nuke:

[FogerRox]

27. Nimitz was off the coast of Somalia.. Indian Ocean

The Stennis was off the southern coast of Iran in the Arabian Ocean. There are no other carriers in theater.

http://www.gonavy.jp/CVLocation.html

[onenote]

41. the nimitz just arrived recently to replace the eisenhower

There have been two carrier groups in the area of operations that includes the gulf for several months.

[FogerRox]

45. Not in the Gulf, Indian Ocean & Arabian Sea yes.

[LSK]

12. I guess you missed the reports about a "2nd surge"

And we will have up to 200,000 in Iraq.

[Jim Warren]

28. Heard that in the car today

By Christmas it said. That story deserves it's own thread, though that might just be bad news overload right now.

[global1]

14. Now We Know Why They Are Saying That Gas Will Go Up Over $4.00/gallon....nt

[snappyturtle]

15. If you read the article at Rawstory then you know the Iranians

are not happy.

--I read this morning that Air Force members are being trained to fight on the ground.
--* to up size the surge by Christmas--yesterday's news
--The Dems capitulate in Iraq war funding
--* probably not happy with Iraqi/Iranian cooperation with pipelines built by Iranians from
Iraq to Iran
--Too many investigations going on
--Over-haul of Iraq stategy--today--reported by Pentagon reporter Barbara Starr on CNN-Now
realizing:
we have to diplomatically talk with factions in Iraq!

Just TOO much.....time to move on...into Iran? after all they have So-o much oil! :sarcasm:

[napi21]

30. My son told me they were also requesting Navy guys to take

ground fighting jobs. He was in the Navy for 14 years, but is now a civilian working on a Navy base. I guess the offer was pretty good monetarily, but they didn't get many volunteers.

I suppose the concentration of ships in the Gulf has something to do with threatening Iran, but the enlistment of airforce and navy personnel to use as ground troops is more likely linked to Shrubs escalation in Itaq! He wants 200,000 by Dec. and that just isn't going to happen with the number currently in the army and marines.

[Louis Cipher]

16. Armageddon here we come.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[SammyWinstonJack]

25. ...

:-(

[seemslikeadream]

26. George Bush Declares War on the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_jws2AsS0g

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Lemme guess...they're "sending a message".

"If we do not change our direction we are likely to end up where we are headed for."
Chinese Proverb

[seemslikeadream]

18. Iranian missles & the US Navy in the Gulf

Iranian missles & the US Navy in the Gulf

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=3039044

[FogerRox]

29. Thats a good post. I remember it well

Saudi's buy new missiles

http://rdanafox.blogspot.com/2006/12/now-middle-east-gets-interesting.html

Iranian missiles pt 1

http://rdanafox.blogspot.com/2007/01/iranian-missile-systems.html

Iranian missiles pt 2

http://rdanafox.blogspot.com/2007/01/modern-iranian-sam-missiles-can-they.html

The Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf is mountainous, those cliffs are riddled with tunnels. Guess whats in the tunnels? Iran could roll rocks of the cliffs and sink ships, its really a bad spot for the US Navy to be in if the shit hits the fan.

[blues90]

19. I don't know what to think about this since many say we are crying wolf

I have felt all along that Iran was the next attack site even though Sy Hersh has been ignored and this topic pops up every so often then it vanishes .

I seems to be getting closer to a reality especially now that bush just got another power grab whcih looks like way to instate marshal law with just about any incident becoming the trigger .

I don't know whether to be concerned or not , it certainly does not look good . With the Dems caving and allowing bush to get his funding without timelines and cheney on the carrier along with bush being able to bypass congress to begin a war on Iran then we are in a world on the edge .

[peacetalksforall]

21. My take on this is - Cheney sees the writing on the wall of our

nation and the world. Since they couldn't safely build the pipelines they wanted to go to Israel and the Mediterranean, they have to get as much oil out of there as possible and fast - they can only go through the Straits of Hormuz. This is part of the exit planning. There could be more, but it's all about protecting the oil. We have no soldiers to go into Iran. We may have mercenaries from Blackwater and other companies, but unless we bomb them flat, there will be war and who is there to fight it?

The innocents of Iran are our brothers and sisters. I pray for the innocents of this country and theirs that we will not bomb them flat.

Cradle of Civilization, the great Persia - mere geograpy and war in the eyes of imperialist predators, thiefs, killers, torturers, liars, vote stealers, citizen abusers, Constitution -Bill of Rights - and media coverage thiefs.

[Selatius]

23. They are likely soldiers that are apart of the Bush "Surge" in Iraq

The fact that the two aircraft carriers are protecting them as they enter the Gulf show that they are there to provide air cover.

[seemslikeadream]

24. But me nah go let dem conquer de I

Amerimacka

Miss Liberty turn inna Jezzabelle
All de dreams you go sell, de whole dem turn inna hell
Her bed of roses are filled with thorns
Her righteous robes are tattered and torn

If she had only stood for love
That would have been enough
She wouldn’t have to hide her shame
If she had only stood for love
That would have been enough
But now she’s burnt us all with her flames

Amerimacka
Oh what a beautiful life
Amerimacka
Is like licking honey off a knife

Amerimacka
Oh what a beautiful sight
Amerimacka
Oh what a beautiful life

The land of the free built on slavery
Our consciousness in captivity
The promise land is the liar’s den
Your culture of greed has got to end

Now we’re laying in the mud
Looking up above
Tear water just ah drop from the sky
They try to keep us in the mud
Separating us from love
But me nah go let dem conquer de I

Amerimacka
Oh what a beautiful life
Amerimacka
Is like licking honey off a knife

Amerimacka
Oh what a beautiful sight
Amerimacka
Oh what a beautiful life

[freedomfries]

31. May 11: Cheney's threats at Iran aboard carrier

Remarks by Vice President Cheney at a Rally for the Troops

WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following are remarks
by Vice President Cheney at a rally for the troops:
USS John C. Stennis
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-11-2007/0004586446&EDATE=
2:20 P.M. (Local)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you. A reception like that is almost enough
to make me want to run for office again. (Applause and cheers.) I said
almost, almost. (Laughter.)
But I'm delighted to be here today and it's great to be welcomed aboard
this great American carrier. I've been in the Middle East this week for
meetings with friends and allies, and on a journey like this I always like
to spend some time with the men and women who go to work every day
defending the United States of America. So I'm delighted to be with this
great Battle Group, the crew of the USS John C. Stennis, and the men and
women of Air Wing Nine.
It's good to see all of you, and it's a special privilege to visit the
Stennis. This fine ship's company is comprised of sailors from across the
United States -- from New York to Ohio ... from Florida to Texas ... from
Missouri to California. (Cheers.) Anybody here from Wyoming? (Cheers.)
Well, it's a small contingent, but it's quality, I can tell. (Laughter.)
You think it'd be bigger, given the breadth of Wyoming's coastline and our
maritime traditions. (Laughter.)
While I'm here, I want to thank the individual squadrons of CVW Nine:
Strike Fighter Squadron VFA 154 -- the "Black Knights" (cheers) ... VFA
146, the "Blue Diamonds" (cheers) ... VFA 147, the "Argonauts" (cheers) ...
Marine Strike Fighter 323 -- the "Death Rattlers" (cheers) ... Tactical
Electronic Warfare Squadron 138 -- the "Yellowjackets" (cheers) ... and
Carrier Early Warning Squadron 112 -- the "Golden Hawks" (cheers) ... Sea
Control Squadron 31 -- the "Topcats" (cheers) ... Fleet Logistics Support
Squadron 30 -- the "Providers" (cheers) ... and HS-8 -- the "Eightballers"
(cheers).
As Admiral Quinn noted -- and I've been around for a while -- so long,
in fact, that I even knew Senator John Stennis personally. But I've never
been more proud of the United States military than I am today. It's an
incredibly challenging time for the country, and there's serious work being
done on many fronts. You're doing all that we ask of you, and you're doing
it with skill and with honor. So I'm here to say thank you ... and to bring
greetings from our Commander-in-Chief, President George W. Bush. (Applause
and cheers.)
The last time I stood on the deck of the Stennis was five years ago,
during Operation Enduring Freedom. There's been a lot of activity in the
five years since, and this warship and the JCS Strike Group have been at
the center of many great events. It's not easy duty to serve in this part
of the world. It's a place of tension and many conflicts. Throughout the
region our country has interests to protect and commitments to honor. With
two carrier strike groups in the Gulf, we're sending clear messages to
friends and adversaries alike. We'll keep the sea lanes open. We'll stand
with our friends in opposing extremism and strategic threats. We'll disrupt
attacks on our own forces. We'll continue bringing relief to those who
suffer, and delivering justice to the enemies of freedom. And we'll stand
with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating
this region. These are important duties, and they must all be done at the
same time. There's no way we could do it all without you, and all those who
have stepped forward to serve our country. America is a nation that keeps
its promises - and for that, we can thank the men and women of the United
States military. (Applause and cheers.)
Our presence here has been vital for many years, but never more than in
the time since September 11th, 2001. The John C. Stennis was in the fight
early, deploying to the Arabian Sea just weeks after 9/11. Since the war on
terror began, this carrier has sailed thousands of nautical miles, and
thousands of sorties have been flown from the deck above us. Thanks in part
to this ship's company and Air Wing Nine, we've struck major blows against
the al-Qaeda network that hit America. (Applause and cheers.) We've removed
two dictatorships that sponsored terror, liberated 50 million people from
tyranny, deterred aggression, and stood by young democracies, as America
always does.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-11-2007/0004586446&EDATE=

[Generator]

32. Well it was going to be on NBC NEWS!

SO I guess it's not a conspiracy anymore. Nice knowing you America. Thank a Democrat and turn out the lights.

[bdamomma]

33. I don't know what to say anymore, but we have to save our own

a$$es.

[AuntPatsy]

34. Haven't heard a peep on this from the media....I guess it is not newsworthy enough..

Kicking because it is even if the media believes it is not.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

36. MSM is pathetic. unless ammurcan idle is on, or a blond is missing.

unbelievable.

The Nation has the best reporting on this type of stuff. Just read the latest issue. WHY CAN'T the rest of the media do something like journalism anymore?

[onenote]

44. its not any big secret

YOu haven't heard anything recently because its not really a recent development. Two carrier groups have been in the area of operations that includes the gulf since February or March.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/070328/usa/gulf_us_iran_military


It was publicly reported more than a month ago that the Nimitz was arriving to replace one of those groups (the Eisenhower).

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/070402/usa/us_gulf_iran_military.

[JPZenger]

37. Irresponsible to Put So Many Servicepersons at Risk

It was completely irresponsible of the US government to put so many US sailors and marines at risk but having them enter the Persian Gulf. There is limited room for maneuvers to avoid hostile missiles. Look at the above photo - I have never seen two aircraft carriers in such close quarters since WWII. It is very inviting target for terrorists - you could kill 13,000 service-persons in one attack.

[firefox_fan]

38. Hmmm, you mean with a sub?

Or air missiles?...

[Pavulon]

39. You could expect a SLBM launch in response

as well. There is no naval force in the area that is capable of a sustained attack on the US Navy. We have a corner market of hunter killer subs.

The rense.com writeup of the kh-xx (sunburn missile) leaves out the part where we co developed it with Russia as a weapons testing drone.

Iran has no interest in starting a naval war.

[JPZenger]

40. I Was Referring to a Terrorist Attack With Anti-Ship Missiles

I am not saying that Iran would purposefully attack the US Navy. But the attack could come from a renegade group with an anti-ship missile packed with a dirty bomb.

[Pavulon]

42. You just dont buy a ssn22, silkworm, or other

anti ship weapon. They are used by governments. Or provided by them. That picture does not show the location or speed of the vessels.

Attacks at sea on naval vessels are not terribly successful. In port is another matter.