[Marxism] Second US naval strike groups arrives near shores of Iran

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Introductory comments are by Mark Jensen. I take this as a sign that the
divisions in Iran and the government's deepening crackdown in Iran extending
well into the country's elite (scores of college professors, a number of
former cabinet ministers, etc., are now under arrest), is making Iran more
vulnerable to US pressure, including military. I think we now have to adjust
our emphasis accordingly.
Fred

NEWS: Second US amphibious strike group arrives off Iran's shores

[On Jun. 20, the day the crackdown began in Iran, the U.S. expeditionary
strike group known as LHD-5 Bataan or "Amphibious Group Two" passed
through the Suez Canal, military sources reported Tuesday.[1] -- The
commanding officer of the USS Bataan called the group "a versatile force
that's able to respond to tasking at a moment's notice." -- 

Stratfor's naval update map showed the group to be in the Persian Gulf as of
Jun. 24.[2] -- PR human interest stories from the Bataan assault group
failed
to mention where the group was or where it was headed.[3] -- The Daily
News of Jacksonville, NC, reported that the group deployed (from its
homeport of Norfolk, VA) in May before training had been completed for its
maritime security mission.[4] -- 

BACKGROUND: Global Security's
out-of-date description
(http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/lhd-5.htm)
 of the
group says that "The principal mission of WASP Class ships is to enable
the Navy/Marine Corps team to accomplish a seamless transition from the
sea to a land battle, primarily as the command ship of an Amphibious Ready
Group. LHDs are specifically designed to lay off a troubled area of the
world, and insert forces ashore by helicopters and 50 m.p.h. LCAC hover
craft."[5] -- 

The USS Bataan, which is 844 feet long and carries
(http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/08/0805.htm) 1,894 marines (plus 184
surge) as well as dozens of attack aircraft, can be seen leaving Norfolk
on May 13, 2009, in this high-quality photograph.
(http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/08/10080530.jpg
) --
LHD-5 is said to be relieving the LHD-4 Boxer group, which has been in the
region since January.
(http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/01/marine_esg_meu_deployment_010709/) 

-- 
Thus the U.S. now has two expeditionary strike groups off the shores
of Iran. -- (By the way, as of Jun. 25, the USS Bataan's web site
(http://www.bataan.navy.mil/default.aspx) is still misreporting its
location.) --Mark]

http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/8782/


1.

BATAAN TRANSITS SUEZ CANAL, ENTERS THE U.S. 5th FLEET

U.S. Naval Forces Cenral Command Public Affairs
June 23, 2009

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=35526
USS BATAAN, At Sea -- Sailors aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault
ship USS Bataan and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary
Unit transited the Suez Canal June 20, and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area
of operations relieving the USS Boxer Amphibious Group.

While deployed to the region, Bataan will conduct Maritime Security
Operations, which help set the conditions for security and promote
regional stability and global prosperity.

"The focus is maritime security, but regardless of the mission, we stand
ready," said Capt. Sam Howard, Bataan's commanding officer. "Our training
leading up to deployment and the inherent capability of Bataan's
blue/green team, provides the combatant commander with a versatile force
that's able to respond to tasking at a moment's notice."

Bataan serves as the flagship for the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group/22nd
Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 22nd MEU is comprised of a Ground Combat
Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment;
Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263
(Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and
the MEU Command Element.

Bataan is also the first ship to deploy with embarked MV-22B Ospreys in an
amphibious environment. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, with a
complement of 10 Ospreys, provides increased flexibility over the CH-46E
Sea Knight and CH-46D Sea Stallion in their ability to transfer equipment
and troops from ship to shore. The Osprey brings greater range, lift
capacity, speeds, and the ability conduct aerial refueling.

Amphibious Squadron Two includes Bataan, the amphibious dock landing ship
USS Fort McHenry, the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce, Helicopter Sea
Combat Squadron 22, Fleet Surgical Team 6, Assault Craft Unit 2, ACU-4 and
Beachmaster Unit 2.

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was
commissioned Sept. 20, 1997, and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear
the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that
was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and
the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

2.

NAVAL UPDATE MAP 090624

Stratfor
June 24, 2009 (2121 GMT -- 1421 PDT -- Jun. 25, 0121 Tehran time)

http://web.stratfor.com/images/northamerica/map/naval_update_map_090624.jpg

3.

22nd MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT GRANTS FATHER'S DAY WISH TO NEW DADS
By Staff Sgt. Matthew Epright

June 23, 2009

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=35501

USS BATAAN -- Father's Day can be a rough time for deployed dads,
especially those whose wives have given birth since the start of the
deployment. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is using modern technology
to ease the separation.

Marines from the 22nd MEU whose wives gave birth after the mid-May start
of the MEU's deployment got to see and hear their newborns for the first
time via Video Tele-Conferencing aboard USS Bataan June 20, 2009.

"We gave each father about 20 minutes to be able to spend some time
together and to be able to get acquainted," said Cmdr. Richard Bonnette,
the 22nd MEU chaplain and native of Holiday, Fla. "They could see their
little girl or little boy just the way they are right now."

Bonnette added that II Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, Lt.
Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik provided a conference room with VTC capability back
at the MEU's base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Though most Marines can receive family photos and updates through email,
this gave them an opportunity to see their new child in a new way.

"I've seen pictures, but I haven't been able to see him moving around or
making noises," said Lance Cpl. Eric Swisher, a mortarman with Battalion
Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and native of New Port
Richey, Fla. "Just seeing my new son -- it was awesome."

Bonnette said he plans to have future VTC sessions for new dads as
opportunities become available. And in the meantime, these Marines will
have something to take with them from the experience.

"We're recording the session for the new dads, so they'll not only be able
to relive what they did here today, but keep this for years to come so it
will be a family memory," said Bonnette.

4.

22nd MEU MARINES CERTIFIED FOR SHIP BOARDING

Daily News (Jacksonville, NC -- next to Camp Lejeune Marine Corp Base)
June 22, 2009

http://www.enctoday.com/news/ship-65036-jdn-vbss-22nd.html

USS BATAAN - The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and Bataan Amphibious
Ready Group deployed in May, but training is still underway.

One of the jobs of the Navy and Marine Corps team is to keep watch on the
millions of tons of cargo that transits the shipping lanes aboard all
manner of ships from a multitude of different countries.

The method for maintaining that watch is known as Visit, Board, Search and
Seizure, or VBSS.

The VBSS mission has several variations in delivery and intensity, which
are decided based on the actions of the target ships' crews, but the
primary task is for a group of Marines and sailors to board the ship and
ensure the ship is safe and that it is not violating shipping laws by
carrying prohibited equipment or individuals.

In extreme circumstances the VBSS teams may be called on to take total
control of the target ship.

Prior to the current deployment of the 22nd MEU and Bataan ARG, the 22nd
MEU was tasked to master the VBSS, however, the requirement changed after
the pre-deployment training phase for the MEU was over.

Because of the unique aspects of operating aboard ships, the Marines
tasked with executing the missions received extra training in several
specialized tasks, like fast-roping and shipboard close-quarters
engagement.

The MEU used a three-phase approach, starting the training with basics
such as ship familiarization and moving all the way up to having teams
fast-rope to the deck of their targets out of CH-53E Super Stallions from
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced).

The MEU performed the fast-rope assault missions two times on one of the
smaller ships of the Bataan ARG, USS Fort McHenry, and a prepositioning
ship.

VBSS is not solely a Marine mission, but if a team has to take over a
vessel after the assault, they have a team of sailors along to pilot the
ship and handle damage control.



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