"LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. military has stepped up chartering of tankers and requests for extra fuel in the U.S. Central Command area, which includes the Gulf, shipping and oil industry sources say. A Gulf oil industry source said the charters suggested there would be high naval activity, possibly including a demonstration to Iran that the U.S. Navy will protect the Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route during tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme.
The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) has tendered for four tankers in November to move at least one million barrels of jet and ship fuel between Gulf ports, from Asia to the Gulf and to the Diego Garcia base, tenders seen by Reuters show. It usually tenders for one or two tankers a month to supply Gulf operations, which include missions in Iraq."
A separate requirement is for a tanker to move 147,000 barrels of ship fuel from Singapore to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, close to the Gulf and Arabian Sea.
As Larissa notes:
that is indeed unusual according to a military friend of mine, who in an email this morning wrote: "It has gotten my attention. I don't have an explanation."
Diego Garcia-
The US is secretly upgrading special stealth bomber hangars on the British island protectorate of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean in preparation for strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to military sources. The improvement of the B1 Spirit jet infrastructure coincides with an “urgent operational need” request for £44m to fit racks to the long-range aircraft. That would allow them to carry experimental 15-ton Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs designed to smash underground bunkers buried as much as 200ft beneath the surface through reinforced concrete.
6 comments:
I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that says attacking Iran is not a matter of 'if', but 'when'. As you note, Rick, the MOP is experimental. It is a good possibility, that even with a low-yield nuclear payload, it will not work. In all probability, it will liquify the rock and dirt, which will harden and make the bunkers and tunnels even more secure.
The Iranians are chess masters, and think many moves ahead. The U.S. is so arrogant they can't conceive the concept of failure. I have no doubt whatsoever, that the Iranians have several defensive and counter-offensive plans already drawn up. If Iran wants to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, it will do so. With Russian Kilo-class submarines, armed with Sizzler missles, and floating mines in the shipping lanes; I doubt that the ENTIRE U.S. Navy could stop them.
20% of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Even cutting that in half, along with the increased insurance for shippers, will be devasting to the world's economy.
Feasability, and chances for failure, are things the Neocons never figure into the equation. Why? Arrogance.
The U.S. is soon to realize the negative effects brought on by warring on too many fronts. They pay no attention to history, or the consequences suffered by the likes of the Romans, Napoleon, the Ottomans, or Hitler. Our military is already stretched thin. Even if they use air attacks only (something that can NEVER win a war), the Iranians can send thousands of small, 8 to 10 men teams into Iraq, and do devasting damage to us. It will, no doubt, harken a regional war that will throw the whole world into a depression.
The Neocons, and their obscenely wealthy chickenhawk cronies, don't seem to understand the fact that, even having all the money in the world; is useless, if there's nothing to buy.
The ONLY ones that can put an end to this madness are the American populace. And they had better stand up, mobilize, and take action now, before it's too late. Our government has become a runnaway freight train, with George 'Casey Jones' Bush soundly asleep at the throttle. This warring and empire building has gained so much momentum, it may not be able to be stopped, short of a total collapse of our Republic.
Brother Tim, a great comment. I remember some administration insider said the Iraq attack was prety well much down to the efforts of around 100 people, that without them it would never have happened. Which is a stunning indictment of the lack of democracy Bush has engendered. I think a similar cabal is at it again but like Hitler ordering non existent tank regimnets around in his bunker they are no longer rational. Which is the problem, they need stopping, not reasoning with or persuading, they need to be stopped, impeachment, prosectuions, backroom threats of blackmail and exposure of secrets, loss of wealth. The establishment so far refuses to do that, do the people have any influence over it?
And as ever, however disatrous things become the protagonists will never personally suffer, they will not starve, or bleed. So an elite acting irrationally, insulated from the consequences of its actions is not a good recipe for 2008.
So I share your sick feeling.
Rick
Everything is set except for one thing. When you hear of the air refuelers being based at Diego Garcia that is the key that the attak on Iran is imminent.
I have talked often with naj and others but the chief idiot will stop at nothing. Once he is finished with his facade of effort to avoid this he will do what he attacked Iraq for to get in the middle east and that is to go after Iran amongst others.
I just read that Britain is beefing up its navy presence in the gulf starting next year. With our 3 carrier battle groups in there and the Charles Degaulle guarding the mouth, it is going to be very ctrowded. I have also heard about nuclear class Russian subs slated for the area.
We will keep trying but we won't get in the way of the chief idiot and other leaders who want war. Did you ever hear of Perle Wurmse "a clean break" Please google it. The plan was set by only a few and believe it or not in 1996. This is Cheney's game and as usual the mindless idiot Bush is only the cheerleader.
Let`s not forget that the Iranians have forecast severe penalties for Americans should they try to attack.
The first thing would be 11,000 rockets in 60 seconds.
Mostly aimed at ships and bases in the middle east, including the geen zone and the carrier groups.
The carriers will be sunk, the anti-ship missiles that the iranians have were tested against the Israelis last summer.
Which would mean that many Admirals, captains and generals are going to get scorched and torched.
Senior american officers are generally speaking, moderately educated cowards, from middle class families, who will not risk instant cremation, therefore expect a mutiny from within.
This "war" is not about America vs Islam, it is about the control of the ME oil supplies, behind Iran sit China and Russia, who have the capacity to destroy America with financial weapons, and are currently doing just that.
The reason for the increased tanker prescence may be due to the fact that the Japanese have recently withdrawn their pacific oil supplies from the Americans,
Brothers, when we depart this earth as a species, there will be no regret. We will not be missed. The world, eventually, will cleanse itself, wipe away the crap that we've created, become pristine again.
We are a scourge, a waste of space!
Cheers!
Another sign is that US Centcom Admiral Fallon has said of an attack on Iran, "Not on my watch."
If he resigns, not a good sign.
Post a Comment