The Gulf of Oman

[Chobham]

The US is assembling a naval force in the Gulf of Oman consisting of a helicopter assault ship and a Coast Guard Cutter along with several other vessels.

The prima facie reason is the increasingly belligerent actions of the Iranians and that is a legitimate reason. But WAIT, there's more. The interesting component is the inclusion of a Coast Guard Cutter, a service that is chartered to intercept contraband (sanctioned cargo) on the high seas. Quite a different charter than the US Navy that can engage in counter-piracy actions which is what the Iranians are engaged in.

The Gulf of Oman is the exit point from the Straits of Hormuz and as such is a primary choke point for the transport of oil out of the Persian Gulf, second only to the Straits of Malacca in importance to international shipping. So while the prima facie reason is the Iranians this also puts a force in place that can completely choke off China from their primary source of energy in the event China decides to make a move on Taiwan. A Chinese move on Taiwan would bring with it international sanctions, hence the Coast Guard presence. Naturally this would also include the interception of any transport in or out of Iran should sanctions be asserted against them.

Will China and Iran take notice? Most likely they will. Will they begin to tread lightly? I suspect China will, I have no such confidence in the Iranians. Only time will tell.

 

[Buffalogurl]

The US is assembling a naval force in the Gulf of Oman consisting of a helicopter assault ship and a Coast Guard Cutter along with several other vessels.

The prima facie reason is the increasingly belligerent actions of the Iranians and that is a legitimate reason. But WAIT, there's more. The interesting component is the inclusion of a Coast Guard Cutter, a service that is chartered to intercept contraband (sanctioned cargo) on the high seas. Quite a different charter than the US Navy that can engage in counter-piracy actions which is what the Iranians are engaged in.

The Gulf of Oman is the exit point from the Straits of Hormuz and as such is a primary choke point for the transport of oil out of the Persian Gulf, second only to the Straits of Malacca in importance to international shipping. So while the prima facie reason is the Iranians this also puts a force in place that can completely choke off China from their primary source of energy in the event China decides to make a move on Taiwan. A Chinese move on Taiwan would bring with it international sanctions, hence the Coast Guard presence. Naturally this would also include the interception of any transport in or out of Iran should sanctions be asserted against them.

Will China and Iran take notice? Most likely they will. Will they begin to tread lightly? I suspect China will, I have no such confidence in the Iranians. Only time will tell.

Hmmm, this is quite interesting. I'm curious if this may be a response as well to the unrest in Africa? Thank you for the heads up

 

[RoryN]

Hmmm, this is quite interesting. I'm curious if this may be a response as well to the unrest in Africa? Thank you for the heads up

^^^
Spreadsheet alt.

 

[Chobham]

Hmmm, this is quite interesting. I'm curious if this may be a response as well to the unrest in Africa? Thank you for the heads up

Not likely. Niger is the source of the worlds largest Uranium deposits. look for the hand of China in this one.

 

[VinnyVeritas]

In the Coast Guard, you can sail the seven seas...

Since Uncle Joe is bound and determined to do things like mothball our fleet, limit recruiting to the Dylan Mulvaney class and tell Gold Star families that his son came home in a flag-draped casket too...



... maybe this is another job best outsourced to the Communist Chinese.

 

[VinnyVeritas]

Now, why did I not mention the failings of DJT?

Is he still the CIC? Did he badly bug out of Afghanistan?

 

[Rotadom]

Now, why did I not mention the failings of DJT?

Why did you mention him at all? Oh yeah, you are in a cult and suffer from TDS.

 

[Lazaran]

•
WTF is wrong with the PB’s usual suspects??? Does EVERYTHING have to be more than what it is???

The increased presence in the Gulf of Oman is OBVIOUSLY related to the Iranian’s belligerent behavior towards commercial shipping.

Did the dumbfuck OP miss the press release about the administration considering putting armed troops on ships in the Strait of Hormuz???

https://apnews.com/article/persian-gulf-tensions-us-armed-guards-57295a81dc45c9e0755bd6a83ece86d9

Hope that ^ helps.



The usual suspects

 

[icanhelp1]

In the Coast Guard, you can sail the seven seas...

Since Uncle Joe is bound and determined to do things like mothball our fleet, limit recruiting to the Dylan Mulvaney class and tell Gold Star families that his son came home in a flag-draped casket too...



... maybe this is another job best outsourced to the Communist Chinese.

WTF! Our exit from Afghanistan was near perfect with a few minor exceptions;... 1. We didn't include our allies in the plan... 2. We forgot to take our citizens with us... 3. We armed the Taliban to the teeth.

 

[Rotadom]

WTF! Our exit from Afghanistan was near perfect with a few minor exceptions;... 1. We didn't include our allies in the plan... 2. We forgot to take our citizens with us... 3. We armed the Taliban to the teeth.

I agree with you! President Biden executed trump's plan perfectly!

 

[ll74]

WTF! Our exit from Afghanistan was near perfect with a few minor exceptions;... 1. We didn't include our allies in the plan... 2. We forgot to take our citizens with us... 3. We armed the Taliban to the teeth.

We told our citizens to GTFO and they didn't. Citizens who were there knew to GTFO and they didn't.

The rest was just being squeezed out by leverage that the previous administration gave the Taliban.

 

[icanhelp1]

We told our citizens to GTFO and they didn't. Citizens who were there knew to GTFO and they didn't.

The rest was just being squeezed out by leverage that the previous administration gave the Taliban.

Welp, in a roundabout way I agree with you, Biden was to weak and incompetent to adjust to the situation on the ground.

He's about to make another huge blunder putting US troops on board ships.

 

[ll74]

Welp, in a roundabout way I agree with you, Biden was to weak and incompetent to adjust to the situation on the ground.

He's about to make another huge blunder putting US troops on board ships.

It doesn't matter what Biden does to you
...you've got BDS

 

[icanhelp1]

It doesn't matter what Biden does to you
...you've got BDS

No, it's more like when a person of authority makes a decision based on emotion rather than facts on the ground, that's putting political self interest over what the situation calls for. When a president is unable to adjust windage and elevation he doesn't belong in the most powerful position in the world.

 

[Lazaran]

•
President Biden, the DOD, and our amazing service members withdrawal from Afghanistan was an unmitigated triumph under the incredibly challenging conditions created by the blunders of the previous administration.

The loss of life from a suicide bomber was tragic, but staying would have resulted in an even greater loss of life.

Those service members who died did not do so in vain.

Staying would have made a mockery of their sacrifice.

ineedhelp1 is a traitorous POS who denigrates our military at every turn.

ineedhelp1 should FOAD.

*nods*

 

[Chobham]

•
WTF is wrong with the PB’s usual suspects??? Does EVERYTHING have to be more than what it is???

The increased presence in the Gulf of Oman is OBVIOUSLY related to the Iranian’s belligerent behavior towards commercial shipping.

Did the dumbfuck OP miss the press release about the administration considering putting armed troops on ships in the Strait of Hormuz???

https://apnews.com/article/persian-gulf-tensions-us-armed-guards-57295a81dc45c9e0755bd6a83ece86d9

Hope that ^ helps.



The usual suspects

Well SFB, the helicopter assault ship (Bataan LHD-5) is essentially a taxi service for a Marine Detachment of close to 2000 personnel. So that was covered in the OP.

 

[ll74]

No, it's more like when a person of authority makes a decision based on emotion rather than facts on the ground, that's putting political self interest over what the situation calls for. When a president is unable to adjust windage and elevation he doesn't belong in the most powerful position in the world.

Lol....of course......

 

[Lazaran]

Well SFB, the helicopter assault ship (Bataan LHD-5) is essentially a taxi service for a Marine Detachment of close to 2000 personnel. So that was covered in the OP.

^
(Quoted for posterity and stupidity.)

And???

There is zero need to “read the tea leaves” in regards to this recent build up of capabilities in the region.

It’s Iran, stupid.

Hope that ^ helps.



stupid

 

[icanhelp1]

Withdrawing from Afghanistan was a blunder by both Trump and Biden. If Biden would have changed direction and remained I would have applauded his courage and wisdom to plan for the future. Working towards a co-op government and protecting those Afghans (women and children) would have been beneficial to both countries. Mining rare earth minerals was one positives to remaining.

 

[ll74]

Withdrawing from Afghanistan was a blunder by both Trump and Biden. If Biden would have changed direction and remained I would have applauded his courage and wisdom to plan for the future. Working towards a co-op government and protecting those Afghans (women and children) would have been beneficial to both countries. Mining rare earth minerals was one positives to remaining.

Well obviously the negotiations with the Taliban instead of the official government was a stroke of genius.

 

[icanhelp1]

Well SFB, the helicopter assault ship (Bataan LHD-5) is essentially a taxi service for a Marine Detachment of close to 2000 personnel. So that was covered in the OP.

If a ship wanders into Iranian waters for whatever reason and we have troops on board, that's a flash point. Marines aren't going to allow Iranians on board without a firefight. However having AH-64s, AH-1s and A-10s flying cover is more of a deterrent. Sink their ships right from underneath them. IMHO

 

[ll74]

If a ship wanders into Iranian waters for whatever reason and we have troops on board, that's a flash point. Marines aren't going to allow Iranians on board without a firefight. However having AH-64s, AH-1s and A-10s flying cover is more of a deterrent. Sink their ships right from underneath them. IMHO

So then we shouldn't let a shop with troops on board do that then.

So just to be clear on your position here - you'd prefer not to be aggressive in our deterring actions and should let Iran be aggressive and dictate the tone of the situation. Correct?

 

[Bray123]

So that was why Trump did the deal with Oman; so he could control the straits of Hormuz.

https://therealdeal.com/national/2023/06/24/trumps-oman-project-raises-ethical-concerns/

 

[icanhelp1]

Well obviously the negotiations with the Taliban instead of the official government was a stroke of genius.

Negotiations with both parties was necessary. We had NATO support, Taliban was at a military disadvantage. Backing Afghan special forces with air support could have propped up the civilian government. Children grow into adults. Education and self governance was starting to take hold.

 

[ll74]

Negotiations with both parties was necessary. We had NATO support, Taliban was at a military disadvantage. Backing Afghan special forces with air support could have propped up the civilian government. Children grow into adults. Education and self governance was starting to take hold.

The Afghan government wasn't involved.