via the NAVY Times...
The Navy warship USS Bataan has moved into the Mediterranean Sea and could be used, if needed, for any possible evacuation of American personnel from Libya.I've been watching this slow boil for a couple of weeks now. First we got word that the SPMAGTF-Crisis Response had moved closer to Libya for potential use in evacuations.
U.S. defense officials say the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship, is not near Libya and isn’t expected to be positioned off its coast. It more likely will remain in the region, and could move or respond quickly if called.
State Department officials said Tuesday there are no plans for an evacuation at this time.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter by name.
Now we're hearing that the USS Bataan is heading that way.
I fully expect to see a nice little dog & pony show in the coming weeks mixed with screaming headlines of how the Administration moved to prevent another situation like the one that led to the ambassador getting killed, with a side show of Amos chest thumping that the SPMAGTF-CR proved its worth in a real life situation.
Its all bullshit of course.
With proper planning a crisis can be avoided.
If the situation warrants moving these assets to staging points then it warrants evacuating non-essential personnel today. They're creating the conditions for a crisis instead of preventing one.
news reports:
ReplyDelete--The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are comprised of the USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde, and the USS Gunston Hall.
--In addition to the 1,000 marines on board, the Bataan is equipped with several helicopters.
--The United States also has available 250 marines, seven tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft and three refueling aircraft in Sigonella, Italy.
Apparently the 22nd doesn't have Osprey?
"If the situation warrants moving these assets to staging points then it warrants evacuating non-essential personnel today. They're creating the conditions for a crisis instead of preventing one."
ReplyDelete^This times a thousand.