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| USS Carl Vinson will operate in Western Pacific |
| 2003-02-10 |
| The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is moving toward Japan to fill the spot normally occupied by the U.S. 7th Fleetâs USS Kitty Hawk, which has orders for the Persian Gulf, where itâll join four other carriers already in or near the region. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the Vinson to the Pacific to keep North Korea in check and serve as an immediate response to any needs that might arise from that precarious situation, according to various media reports. The United States says it wants to settle the dispute with Pyongyang peacefully but has warned it will maintain strong forces in the Western Pacific. âThe USS Carl Vinson will be operating in the Western Pacific,â a Navy official confirmed Saturday afternoon. The battle group includes the cruiser USS Antietam and the destroyer USS Lassen, both based in San Diego; the frigate USS Ingraham, from Everett, Wash.; and the fast-combat support ship USS Sacramento, anchored in Bremerton, Wash. The group left Pearl Harbor on Wednesday after a weekend port call, and itâs currently located west of Hawaii. The Vinson group could patrol waters in the Sea of Japan between western Japan and the Korean peninsula, or the ships may moor at Yokosuka Naval Base until further movement is required. Berthing in the India Basin at southern Japanâs Sasebo Naval Base is not deep enough to handle a carrier. However, in August 2002, the nuclear-powered carrier USS Abraham Lincoln anchored in Sasebo Harbor for a port visit. About 2,000 protesters marched near Saseboâs main gate waving fists, toting banners and shouting into bullhorns to protest the 1,040-foot-long Lincolnâs visit. Yes, but they are very polite protesters. |
| Posted by:Steve |