Meanwhile back at the Persian Gulf...

While we are concerned about the election, there is a lot of posturing going on by both the US and Iran. Well, I mailed in my ballot yesterday, and will do some volunteer calling for moveon.org today, but will concentrate on what has been happening around the Persian Gulf.

Iran test-fires longer range missile

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran test-fired dozens of missiles, including the Shahab-3 that can reach Israel, in military maneuvers Thursday that it said were aimed at putting a stop to the role of world powers in the Persian Gulf region.

The show of strength came three days after US-led warships finished naval exercises in the Gulf that Iran branded as "adventurist." Iran remains locked in dispute with the West over its nuclear program, which Washington says is geared to producing atomic weapons but Tehran says is only for generating electricity.

Asked about Thursday's maneuvers, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she thought the Iranians "are trying to demonstrate that they are tough."


October 31, 2006

Eisenhower Strike Group Arrives in 5th Fleet

RED SEA (Oct. 31, 2006) - The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (background) steams alongside the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) after arriving in the Red Sea to begin its deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations. While in theater, Eisenhower will perform Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.


The USS Eisenhower And USS Enterprise CVN Arrive In Bahrain

This Is Not A Good Time

Two American carrier groups just arrived in the Persian Gulf, and are stationed at Bahrain under the Fifth Fleet. The US just finished a two-day maneuver in the Gulf — an exercise that Iran described as "adventurist."