LOTS OF CARRIER SHUFFLING IN AND AROUND THE MIDDLE EAST. An example would be:
Atlantic Coast (Mar. 12, 2005) - USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), bottom, conducts vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operations with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). VERTREP's are used to quickly transfer munitions and supplies from one ship to another. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Randall Damm (RELEASED) -- Navy NewsStand - Eye on the Fleet
The Roosevelt is purportedly en route to the eastern Mediterranean, so it makes sense that it might want to pickup any munitions and supplies the Kennedy, purportedly inbound, might be able to part with.
Outbound from Singapore, the USS Carl Vinson is currently crossing the Indian Ocean headed towards Middle-East. This will be the first time since February 2004 that US will have three major carrier groups stationed on and around Middle East. -- Free Internet Press - Three Carrier Groups En route To Middle East
Why? Perhaps it has something to do with Lebanon, Syria, and the threat by Iran to close the Straits of Hormuz. Humm, do you think?
Meanwhile and elsewhere along the axis of evil, US Carrier exercises with South Korea off North Korea have the latter Korea rattling nukes.
Posted by Vanderleun at March 15, 2005 05:23 PM | TrackBackAs Lileks put it this morning if the Syrians decide to get tough in Syria it's likely that Damascus will get a free sample of Raytheon products.
Posted by: Dave Schuler at March 15, 2005 07:00 PMMake that &3147;Syrians decide to get tough in Lebanon.
Posted by: Dave Schuler at March 15, 2005 07:01 PM I shudder to think how many SSBNs are deployed
in the western Pacific just now. I don't China
has a clue what they'd be biting off if they go
to Taiwan ... screw that little pimple in NK. The
carriers movement to the Middle East may even be
a feint, because Syria just ain't that big.