Obama Withdraws Aircraft Carrier Support From Middle East Just As Russia Unveils Its Syrian Airbase
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/16/2015 12:33 -0400
One glance at the map below, showing the current distribution of U.S. naval assets, reveals something that has almost never happened at any time in the past decade:
[url=http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2015/10/Naval-Update-10-14-2015 %281%29.png][/url]
As the map shows, US aircraft carrier, CVN 71 Theodore Roosevelt is currently on its way out of the Persian Gulf, leaving just the LHD-2 Essex Amphibious Warfare ship group to defend the Persian Gulf and more importantly, leaving the hotly contested middle east without U.S. carrier-based air support for the first time in years.
How did this happen?
According to USNI News, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group left U.S. 5th Fleet on Tuesday with no public timeline for when its replacement will reach the Middle East to continue U.S. air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq in Syria (ISIS) targets. While the CVN 71 The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is slated to be the next CSG bound for the Middle East, but the Navy would not specify a deployment time other than later this year, a service official told USNI News on Tuesday.
“We’re not going to talk to future operations,” the official said.
That said, the redeployment of the Roosevelt is not a surprise: two months ago the CNN Pentagon correspondent warned that this was coming:
Whatever the reason, the Roosevelt is out of there, and the ship is now said to be bound for its new homeport at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
While in 5th Fleet, the Roosevelt CSG was the largest symbol in the U.S.-led anti-ISIS collation responsible for "1,812 combat sorties totaling 10,618 combat flight hours, taking on 14.5 million gallons of jet fuel and expending 1,085 precision-guided munitions," as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, according to a Tuesday statement from the service.
Which probably does not explain why in over a year, the US did less damage to ISIS then the Russian airforce has achieved in less than a month.
As for the reason why suddenly the Persian Gulf has an unprecedented US carrier support gap in the middle east - one which could last for two months or well longer - it is because the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which is slated to be the next CSG bound for the Middle East, has been delayed and the Navy would not specify a deployment time other than later this year, a service official told USNI News on Tuesday.
Furthermore, this may be just the beginning of key US naval "gaps" across critical geographic regions:
Whatever the future of US naval "gaps" may be, one thing is clear: the departure of the Roosevelt comes at a particularly awkward time - just as Russia is setting up its own aicraft base in Syria.
As we reported yesterday, "The start of Russian airstrikes in Syria has given new hope to loyalist forces in their battle against a host of rebel factions, including the Islamic State. Now Russia may expand these operations into Iraq if requested to do so by Baghdad. Indeed, from its position in Latakia, Russia has the range to strike Islamic State targets in Iraq, although further deployment of resources may be required to do so effectively."
More importanly, Russia can now also reach the all important global "choke point" of the Suez Canal within minutes, not to mention Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Baghdad, and - if propertly equppped - Bahrain, the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth fleet.
In conclusion ,we take one final look at the map up top, and ask if on its way back to San Diego the Roosevelt will be the ship that Obama uses to send China a message as he has threatened to do, by sailing around the contested islands in the South China Sea, a move which China has warned twice it will be forced to retaliate against. Recall that yesterday China's Global Times said that should Obama carry this out, it would be a "breach of China's bottom line".
"If the US encroaches on China's core interests, the Chinese military will stand up and use force to stop it," the paper warned.
In light of this upcoming showdown, one hopes that the USS Rosevelt won't be known in history as the second coming of the USS Maddox.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-16/obama-withdraws-aircraft-carrier-support-middle-east-just-russia-unveils-its-syrian-
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/16/2015 12:33 -0400
One glance at the map below, showing the current distribution of U.S. naval assets, reveals something that has almost never happened at any time in the past decade:
[url=http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/2015/10/Naval-Update-10-14-2015 %281%29.png][/url]
As the map shows, US aircraft carrier, CVN 71 Theodore Roosevelt is currently on its way out of the Persian Gulf, leaving just the LHD-2 Essex Amphibious Warfare ship group to defend the Persian Gulf and more importantly, leaving the hotly contested middle east without U.S. carrier-based air support for the first time in years.
How did this happen?
According to USNI News, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group left U.S. 5th Fleet on Tuesday with no public timeline for when its replacement will reach the Middle East to continue U.S. air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq in Syria (ISIS) targets. While the CVN 71 The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is slated to be the next CSG bound for the Middle East, but the Navy would not specify a deployment time other than later this year, a service official told USNI News on Tuesday.
“We’re not going to talk to future operations,” the official said.
That said, the redeployment of the Roosevelt is not a surprise: two months ago the CNN Pentagon correspondent warned that this was coming:
The U.S. Navy will not be able to keep an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf for much of the fall season, according to a Navy official. The official said that's because the Navy has to schedule needed maintenance after years of extended deployments and because of reduced spending due to mandatory budget cuts.
While there have been so-called "carrier gaps" in the Persian Gulf before, this one will leave the Navy without the presence of a high-profile aircraft carrier just as a proposed nuclear deal with Iran is at center stage. It also comes as Iranian naval forces have conducted low-level harassment of U.S. and other shipping in the region.
U.S. military officials insisted that there would be no impact on U.S. operations in the gulf because the Air Force can briefly send additional, land-based aircraft to the region if needed. Airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria are also largely undertaken by the Air Force. The Navy accounts for only about 20% of the ISIS strike missions.
Whatever the reason, the Roosevelt is out of there, and the ship is now said to be bound for its new homeport at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
While in 5th Fleet, the Roosevelt CSG was the largest symbol in the U.S.-led anti-ISIS collation responsible for "1,812 combat sorties totaling 10,618 combat flight hours, taking on 14.5 million gallons of jet fuel and expending 1,085 precision-guided munitions," as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, according to a Tuesday statement from the service.
Which probably does not explain why in over a year, the US did less damage to ISIS then the Russian airforce has achieved in less than a month.
As for the reason why suddenly the Persian Gulf has an unprecedented US carrier support gap in the middle east - one which could last for two months or well longer - it is because the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, which is slated to be the next CSG bound for the Middle East, has been delayed and the Navy would not specify a deployment time other than later this year, a service official told USNI News on Tuesday.
Earlier this month the Truman CSG completed its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), the complex training exercise that certifies the strike group for deployment.Previous CSG and three-ship Amphibious Ready Group deployments were often extended to meet the demand of U.S. geographic combatant commanders (COCOMs) at the expense of maintenance setbacks and crew fatigue.
Furthermore, this may be just the beginning of key US naval "gaps" across critical geographic regions:
As the Navy continues to implement stricter deployment tenants, more gaps in Middle East carrier presence may emerge, several service leaders told USNI News in September. Last month Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley, assistant deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy (OPNAV N3/5B) told the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) that it would take a directive from the Secretary of Defense to the Navy to extend the deployment of a carrier to longer than seven months.
While extending a carrier is always an option, another option would be “to reduce our global input as to what we can provide [to the combatant commanders] for a designated period of time, and mitigate that presence, that carrier presence, in some other way using our joint partners, using joint aircraft to cover a gap in time in which we may not have a carrier present,” Harley told the panel.
Whatever the future of US naval "gaps" may be, one thing is clear: the departure of the Roosevelt comes at a particularly awkward time - just as Russia is setting up its own aicraft base in Syria.
As we reported yesterday, "The start of Russian airstrikes in Syria has given new hope to loyalist forces in their battle against a host of rebel factions, including the Islamic State. Now Russia may expand these operations into Iraq if requested to do so by Baghdad. Indeed, from its position in Latakia, Russia has the range to strike Islamic State targets in Iraq, although further deployment of resources may be required to do so effectively."
More importanly, Russia can now also reach the all important global "choke point" of the Suez Canal within minutes, not to mention Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Baghdad, and - if propertly equppped - Bahrain, the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth fleet.
In conclusion ,we take one final look at the map up top, and ask if on its way back to San Diego the Roosevelt will be the ship that Obama uses to send China a message as he has threatened to do, by sailing around the contested islands in the South China Sea, a move which China has warned twice it will be forced to retaliate against. Recall that yesterday China's Global Times said that should Obama carry this out, it would be a "breach of China's bottom line".
"If the US encroaches on China's core interests, the Chinese military will stand up and use force to stop it," the paper warned.
In light of this upcoming showdown, one hopes that the USS Rosevelt won't be known in history as the second coming of the USS Maddox.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-10-16/obama-withdraws-aircraft-carrier-support-middle-east-just-russia-unveils-its-syrian-
Today at 8:06 am by Rocky
» A deputy in finance expects the Council of Ministers to approve the budget schedules in today’s sess
Today at 8:02 am by Rocky
» A deputy resolves the controversy over the “transfer supplement” in two ministries
Today at 8:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi’s “vacant” seat.. Will the coordination framework end the “Taqaddum” dream of an allianc
Today at 7:59 am by Rocky
» The Federal Government issues a state order to stop the Commission’s work procedures regarding the K
Today at 7:57 am by Rocky
» Including the freedom to choose the bank and withdraw the salary for “free”... “My Account” features
Today at 7:55 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank sells more than $250 million during its daily auction
Today at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
Today at 7:44 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the United States of America hold trade meetings in Washington
Today at 7:43 am by Rocky
» In pictures... The activities of the Union of Arab Banks conference in Baghdad, “Day Two”
Today at 7:42 am by Rocky
» The Director General of Ports announces the completion of berths (3) and (4) in Al-Faw Grand Port
Today at 7:40 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
Today at 7:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament publishes the agenda of its session for next Thursday
Today at 7:37 am by Rocky
» A government measure to reduce "money laundering" using the buying and selling of real estate in Ira
Today at 7:35 am by Rocky
» Iraq proposes establishing a specialized council to combat corruption in Arab countries
Today at 7:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Mawarid intends to establish infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
Today at 7:30 am by Rocky
» The Federal Court issues a decision regarding postponing the election of the Speaker of the House of
Today at 7:28 am by Rocky
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
Today at 5:18 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 5/7/24 Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - Regional Trade - A Progession of Reforms - A Global Bac
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» A government meeting to discuss financing and implementation mechanisms for the Development Road Pro
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraqi banks are on the right track with financial transfers
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Al-Khazali: The Turkish side is still imposing its conditions on Iraq
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Rights: We refuse to amend the bylaws of Parliament under political influence and desires
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Today, Iraq and Iran signed the minutes of a joint meeting related to trade
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» KPMG International begins auditing the revenues of telephone companies operating in Iraq
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Oil: The seventh batch of equipment for the gas manufacturing project in the Nasiriyah and Gharraf f
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani assures the French ambassador of Iraq’s openness to “fruitful” partnerships
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The oil sector is witnessing a rapid renaissance
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Opening offices specialized in employing people with disabilities
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Adopting the electronic system in the next census
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Business Council: Efforts to open a branch of the Chinese Bank in Iraq
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Iraqi diplomacy is balanced openness
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» The head of the Integrity Commission told Al-Sabah: We are the people’s eyes on the government and s
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Provincial Council: The capital is facing a new urban and service phase
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Customs, security and economic aspects
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Central Governor: We face “increasing challenges” in complying with international laws
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Payment of end-of-service benefits to employees referred to retirement for the month of May
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Billions “evaporated”.. What is the truth about closing the “theft of the century” file in Diyala?
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Labor approves the extinguishment of debts owed by transgressors from the families o
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» How did Washington comment on Nechirvan Barzani's visit to Tehran?
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» The honeymoon is over and the salary crisis continues. Baghdad and Erbil exchange accusations, but s
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Why has Iraq not submitted a file to stop burning gas over the past years?
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» A slight increase in the exchange rate...more than 146 thousand per 100 dollars
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Do Iraq's debts pose a threat to the economy? Parliament answers
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Agriculture explains the mechanism of implementing the calendar program and its economic gains
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» President Masoud Barzani meets an Iraqi parliamentary delegation
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary criticism of the government’s delay in sending the budget schedules despite the approa
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» A report reveals the existence of an undeclared “Iraqi-British” agreement regarding asylum seekers
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Alternative energy... advanced stages of the largest solar energy station in Iraq
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Its delay raised concerns... it is likely that the 2024 budget schedules will be approved today
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» The industry reveals the reasons why Russian companies stopped reconstructing 7 factories in Anbar
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Billions evaporated.. What is the truth about closing the theft of the century file in Diyala?
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Nouri Al-Maliki to the Saudi Ambassador: Iraq is open to all countries of the world
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» An Iraqi generation that “does not fear” America and Iran.. Nadim Al-Jabri explains his expectations
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» After 9 years.. the third session of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between Iraq and A
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» “These are our goals.” The Turkish President talks about his visit to Iraq last month
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Romanowski: The Iraqi judiciary is independent and the Federal Court seeks to consolidate democracy
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Deputy: The presidency of Parliament will remain vacant until the end of the current session
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Political: The Iraqi economy is threatened by American hegemony because of the coordination administ
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Politician: Salem Al-Issawi will not become Speaker of Parliament
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Planning reveals the mechanism for examining gold in local markets
Today at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Including railway connectivity and water shares... Iraq and Iran are discussing a number of common i
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Oil is preparing to export gas oil after achieving self-sufficiency
Today at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Trade is preparing to hold a number of specialized exhibitions in Baghdad and the provinces
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» Erdogan: Our goal is to raise the volume of trade with Iraq to more than 20 billion dollars
Today at 4:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani confirms Iraq's openness to fruitful partnerships with French companies
Today at 4:07 am by Rocky
» Determining the launch date for the activities of the 48th session of the Baghdad International Fair
Today at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» utube 5/3/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar Update - Expectation - Implementation - Activation - New Exchange Rat
Yesterday at 7:30 am by Rocky
» “Services” asks the Central Bank about billions of foreign banks in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:27 am by Rocky
» Central Bank: Iraqi banks still face challenges in complying with international laws and standards
Yesterday at 7:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary bloc: The Central Bank offers hard currency to “mafias” on a golden platter.. The Suda
Yesterday at 7:20 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Central Auction witnesses a rise in foreign remittances to $267 million
Yesterday at 7:19 am by Rocky
» Wednesday.. The session to elect the President of the Iraqi Parliament is heading towards “Al-Issawi
Yesterday at 7:14 am by Rocky
» The Union of Arab Banks proposes 4 “important” points for Iraqi banks to meet compliance standards
Yesterday at 7:12 am by Rocky
» In the document... the Central Bank decides to return the “Al-Mal” Bank to work... in this case
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi-American agreements and cooperation were the most prominent topics of Al-Araji and Romanow
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim meets a joint delegation of resolve and sovereignty and renews the call to hold a session t
Yesterday at 7:05 am by Rocky
» Nearly one billion dinars were recovered and 3 million liters of fuel intended for smuggling in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani and the European Union ambassador discuss issues of economic partnerships, civil aviation,
Yesterday at 6:59 am by Rocky
» More than 950 million dinars... petroleum products announced their recovery
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Forming a committee to follow up on stopping the sale of the dollar to travelers
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Justice visits Al-Muthanna Governorate to discuss mechanisms for developing judicial
Yesterday at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Agriculture: Farmers who were affected by the recent rains will be compensated
Yesterday at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Rasheed issues a warning regarding applying for advances and loans
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Al-Rafidain announces the implementation of the comprehensive banking system in its main branch
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Al-Rasheed warns of offices and pages claiming to promote the Salaf
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Adviser to the Prime Minister: There are no conflicts in the route of the Baghdad Metro
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We are keen to develop the work of the TBI Bank and address the problems it faces
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Agriculture explains the mechanism of implementing the calendar program and its economic gains
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» “The shocks have changed.” The Governor of the Central Bank explains the impact of the openness of I
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» The President of the Association of Private Banks sends an “important” invitation to the Central Ban
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq: The Iraqi banking sector has witnessed significant qualitative developments in response to
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» On behalf of Al-Sudani, the Minister of Planning sponsors the signing ceremony of a memorandum of un
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Travel Companies Association participates in the Arab Travel Market Exhibition
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky