Thanks for the link Alex...
The above capture is from an I-phone or pad and is used by Russia Navy Blog to keep track of the US Navy with an app called "Marine Traffic".
I'm seriously thinking about giving it a spin. The detail, if accurate, is pretty stunning. The "Spearhead" is in the Aegean Sea moving at 6.2 knots? Wow!
UPDATE: Marine Traffic lists the Command Ship (what they call US Navy 20) and an Oliver Perry Frigate (US Navy 50) as being just off shore of Sochi. Interestingly, the Command Ship appears to be rather close ashore. I think we know why the State Dept Rep gotcalled exposed for making the "Fuck the EU" comment by the Russians now. They probably view the Command Ship to be on a spy mission so they're playing tit for tat.
The above capture is from an I-phone or pad and is used by Russia Navy Blog to keep track of the US Navy with an app called "Marine Traffic".
I'm seriously thinking about giving it a spin. The detail, if accurate, is pretty stunning. The "Spearhead" is in the Aegean Sea moving at 6.2 knots? Wow!
UPDATE: Marine Traffic lists the Command Ship (what they call US Navy 20) and an Oliver Perry Frigate (US Navy 50) as being just off shore of Sochi. Interestingly, the Command Ship appears to be rather close ashore. I think we know why the State Dept Rep got
Only works if the ship's AIS is turned on. Usually, navy warships keep it off. There is a companion web page, marinetraffic.com
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm, 6.2 Knots is making headway if the sea is behind them, what is Spearhead a Tug?
ReplyDeleteMost CV's have their emission's squelched using the Hawkeye and Helo's as the emitter sonar dunking and air traffic control.
ReplyDeleteThe CV hides since it is a big target, it's screen does the noisy work.
Though hiding in that lake called the Mediterranean sea is rather hard to do.
USS Spearhead is a JHSV, useful for evacuation if necessary. The Bosphorus Strait and its approaches are very busy, and constrained. AIS helps to keep vessels separated - and it may be a requirement for ships to operate in the region. BTW, tonnage allowed to enter the Black Sea is limited by convention. My guess is the Spearhead is standing by in the northern Aegean Sea just case it is needed. It's pretty fast, so it could get to Sochi quickly.
ReplyDeleteUSNS Spearhead went over to the Med to show off its capabilities. Not that it sure could conduct NEO. It has a large troop capacity and high speed to get in and out.
DeleteIts speed may just be that its at a MODLOC or manuervering. Remember those are only snapshots in time.
i'm just surprised these ships are doing independent operations. that opens up all sorts of possibilities.
DeleteThe straits are seriously narrow and confined at two places where the bend of the channel hides ships approaching from opposite directions until danger close.
ReplyDeleteLots of shipping goes in and out.
The tonnage ban dates back quite a ways in time.
Jayzus! I just looked it up, Spearhead is a catamaran hulled ship.
ReplyDeletefrom wiki:
The JHSV will be able to transport U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps company-sized units with their vehicles, or reconfigurable to become a troop transport for an infantry battalion.[3]
The JHSV will have a flight deck for helicopters and a load ramp that will allow vehicles to quickly drive on and off the ship. The ramp will be suitable for the types of austere piers and quay walls common in developing countries. JHSV will have a shallow draft (under 15 feet (4.6 m)).[3]
Top speed 52 MPH.
troop seating for 450+ and max ship in reality is 40 kts
DeleteOfficially the US ships in the black sea are there to intervene in the event of terrorism at the Olympics.
ReplyDelete