Enterprise: largest US Navy ship to Gulf

The U.S. Navy said April 9, it has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region amid rising tensions with Iran over its nuclear program. The deployment of the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise [CVN 65] along the Abraham Lincoln [CVN 72] carrier strike group marks only the fourth time in the past decade that the Navy has had two aircraft carriers operating at the same time in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, It is the final deployment for the Enterprise, which is currently with the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation as an ongoing rotation of U.S. Forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the world. The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group consists of about 5,500 sailors and marines. The Enterprise was commissioned in November 1961. The carrier is scheduled to be deactivated this fall. Enterprise is the oldest and largest active combat vessel in the Navy.

April 8, 2012 aboard USS Makin Island LHD-8, Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, The purpose/mission of Makin Island is to embark, deploy, and land elements of a Marine landing force in an Amphibious Assault by helicopters, landing craft, and amphibious vehicles. Now in Fifth Fleet area with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Providence (SSN 719): slowly tightening the noose

The nuclear-powered submarine USS PROVIDENCE (SSN 719) and Destroyer USS Mason(DDG-87) entered the Suez Canal Saturday from the Red Sea.

The officials said the warships are part of the American carrier battle group led by the USS Enterprise. U.S. military officials have ordered warships into the Mediterranean in case they are needed for Libya-related operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to possible military action.

— The Arab League endorsed a no-flight zone over Libya on March 12
Europe's leaders have clashed over the prospect of intervention in Libya, with Angela Merkel leading a campaign to block talk of air strikes and no-fly zones from David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy..

“If the international community chooses to play the role of bystander,” said Libyan official, Abdul Hafidh Ghoga, the vice chairman of the shadow government, the Libyan National Council, “we will have to defend ourselves.”

Kearsarge ARG: transits Suez Canal

Kearsarge in the Red Sea is expected to transit soon through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, putting it closer to Libya, put more options on the table for President Obama

U.S. officials said the repositioning of the Navy ship puts it in position for a potential "show of force" to the Ghadafi regime.

The USS Kearsarge has helicopters and harrier jets aboard, as well as a complement of around 700 Marines from the 26th MEU – Marine Expeditionary Unit.
It had a larger complement of Marines aboard, but the majority of the marines from the 26th MEU were diverted to Afghanistan a month ago.

The movement of the USS Kearsarge into the Mediterranean is part of the repositioning of forces described below. One US official says it’s all about giving the President options. No decisions have been made about what role the ship will play off the coast of Libya.

However, one phrase being used is that it could be seen as a “show of force” to the Qaddafi regime. the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise re-entered the Red Sea, but it has not been given orders to transit back through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea.
The USS Mount Whitney command ship (LCC 20) has changed its position in the Mediterranean as well,

earlier

and earlier