Article

2012-07-12 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Floating Base Gives U.S. New Footing in the Persian Gulf

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by tipper 2012-07-12 00:26|| || Front Page|| [11126 views ] Top

#1 DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > [USDOD Report = June 2012] US PENTAGON ADMITS LETHALITY, EFFECTIVENESS OF IRAN MISSLE SYSTEMS.

* TOPIX > US REPORT ACCUSES IRAN OF DEVELOPING MISSLES TO THREATEN ISRAEL + EASTERN EUROPE.

versus

* SAME > SAUDI ARABIA TRYING TO BUY CHINESE DF-21 MBMS.

Considering the pressure being levied agz the House of Saud to share or give up ruling power, this could still end badly for the US = USN as per any US-Iran conflict in the Gulf.

Iran is still seemingly intent on isolating US CVNS + Gators/AmphibFors to the SEA OF OMAN + BEYOND ASAP AMAP AFAP, where it can not only fire mass barrages of LRBMS but more importantly any post-strike Nuke-WMD effects agz Iran can be minimized.

Moreso given ...

* DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > [WND.com] 40,000 IRANIAN AGENTS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, espec in Latin America.

As per ARTIC, more correct to say many of these
"Iranian Agents" are Iran-controlled, + Muslim, but are NOT necessar ethnic Iranians per se.

versus

* TOPIX > MADONNA CAN PREVENT WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN.

Ah yes, a OWG Global Babe for OWG Affairs.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2012-07-12 01:27|| 2012-07-12 01:27|| Front Page Top

#2 And there we have the retrofit story.
Thanks Tipper.

Posted by Skidmark 2012-07-12 06:03|| 2012-07-12 06:03|| Front Page Top

#3 Unfortunate Name

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2012-07-12 06:48|| 2012-07-12 06:48|| Front Page Top

#4 I understand it's named after the Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon, via a namesake city in Puerto Rico.

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2012-07-12 09:51|| 2012-07-12 09:51|| Front Page Top

#5 I wonder why we need to build new ships for the purpose, as the article says is happening. Why not keep Ponce (I know she's old but you can get a few more years) and then pick another one or two older landing platform ships and convert them?

Posted by Steve White 2012-07-12 10:52|| 2012-07-12 10:52|| Front Page Top

#6 Probably because the repurposed landing platform ships aren't ideal for sustained, longer term use of this kind Steve. They're a field expedient at best.

In addition, the Navy is currently at 283 ships IIUC - far below what was projected as a minimum fleet of over 310 ships for current needs.

Posted by lotp 2012-07-12 12:27|| 2012-07-12 12:27|| Front Page Top

#7 It's not a new concept for the Gulf region.

What's different is that it's a ~~ship~~ very mobile platform.

The reason for new construction is that it can be built to more or less commercial standards and classed as an auxiliary.

Posted by Pappy 2012-07-12 15:03|| 2012-07-12 15:03|| Front Page Top

23:28 gorb
23:24 trailing wife
23:22 trailing wife
23:16 Water Modem
23:00 Vortigern Hupoluse1541
22:17 lord garth
22:09 Alistaire the Limpid7429
22:05 trailing wife
21:13 Barbara
21:12 Barbara
20:46 rjschwarz
20:41 Redneck Jim
20:30 Redneck Jim
20:21 Redneck Jim
20:16 Redneck Jim
20:15 American Delight
19:59 linker
18:21 Zhang Fei
18:19 Barbara
18:14 Barbara
18:12 Barbara
18:09 Barbara
17:53 Uncle Phester
17:40 OmuluqueHapsburg5085