AT SEA: USS Enterprise in the Gulf as part of measure to ensure security and stability

The U.S. Navy sends aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise to the Gulf to replace two carriers deployed there earlier in the year amid tension with Iran. The U.S. Navy, scaling back its force in the Gulf, sent a fresh aircraft carrier earlier this month to the region to replace two carriers deployed there since the beginning of this year amid tension with Iran. The USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, which the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, has been in the region since the beginning of August. It is key to bringing security and stability to the area, Rear Admiral Daniel Holloway, the commander onboard the carrier said. "I believe the USS Enterprise and the USS Gettysburg that you can see right off the side of the ship in the North Arabian Gulf brings a lot of flexibility to the region and that key is that we can bring stability and security to this area, the Fifth Fleet AOR (area of responsibility) and for that reason, I think the nations that surround AOR can gain the benefits, economic benefits, security and stability to the region is important to all those who want to use the oceans in a lawful manner," Rear Admiral Daniel Holloway said. The United States has been flexing its muscles in a standoff with Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme. Washington also accuses Iran of meddling in Iraq and of fostering militant Islamic groups throughout the Middle East. But the two old foes have begun tentative talks aimed initially at easing the conflict in Iraq and last month set up a security committee between officials of the three countries. A pilot onboard the carrier told Reuters the USS Enterprise is there to conduct security operations and provide air support for ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Our primary mission is to support the marines and the army on the ground in operations 'Iraqi' and 'Enduring Freedom'. So, we'll fly a typical mission taken off the boat here over to Iraq, hit the tanker to get some gas and then we'll support the marines on the ground, we'll do whatever they need, convoy, escort, search for IEDs (improvised explosive devices)," Captain Nicole Aunapu said. The U.S. Navy said in a statement that the USS Enterprise would provide "navy power to counter the assertive, disruptive and coercive behaviour of some countries," and take part in anti-submarine, anti-surface, anti-mine, air and missile defence and air strike operations. The West suspects Iran of secretly seeking to build a nuclear bomb and wants Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment activities. Tehran insists its atomic ambitions are peaceful. Tension over Tehran's nuclear ambitions has raised regional fears of a military confrontation. Iran has dismissed previous U.S. drills off its coast as morale-boosting exercises, and has said it had missiles that could sink big war ships in the Gulf. Two other carrier groups, headed by the USS Stennis and the USS Nimitz, moved out of the area in July and were now in the Pacific, Lt. John Gay of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquartered in Bahrain said at the begiining of August.

ITN Source | August 19, 2007

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