Navy Sending Five Ships To Disrupt Terrorists At Sea

Navy Sending Five Ships To Disrupt Terrorists At Sea and this

USS Saipan (LHA 2) and two other Norfolk Naval Station-based ships deployed May 25, under the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), in support of the global war on terrorism.

Saipan is one of five East Coast ships carrying more than 2,800 Sailors rapidly deploying or “surging” for an approximately three-month deployment to the European and Central Command maritime areas of responsibility. Other ships that departed from Norfolk Naval Station include USS Nicholas (FFG 47) and USS Nashville (LPD 13).

In addition, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) deployed from Naval Station Mayport, Fla., May 25, and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) will deploy from Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., next week. Gunston Hall will remain deployed longer than three months to meet previously scheduled commitments overseas.

The deployment is the latest implementation of the Navy’s new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan. FRP is about new ways of operating, training, manning, and maintaining the fleet that results in increased readiness and the ability to provide significant combat power when and where it’s needed.

Hmmm.

Update:



Photo caption: 50325-N-3725R-002 Norfolk, Va. (May 25, 2005) - The amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2) gets underway from Naval Station Norfolk in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Saipan is one of five East Coast ships carrying more than 2,800 Sailors that are surging for an approximately three-month deployment to work with allies to detect, disrupt, and deny international terrorist organizations the use of the maritime environment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Gregory A Roberts



Photo caption:050525-N-4010S-001 Norfolk, Va. (May 25, 2005) - Line handlers assist the guided missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) and her crew of than 250 Sailors in getting underway from Naval Station Norfolk in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Nicholas is one of five East Coast ships surging for an approximately three-month deployment to work with allies to detect, disrupt, and deny international terrorist organizations the use of the maritime environment. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Ty Swartz

Update2:

Neither 6th Fleet public affairs officer Cmdr. Cate Mueller nor 2nd Fleet officials would say which of the ships would remain in the Mediterranean.

Those that do stay will “be engaging in a variety of productive theater security cooperation exercises, events and operations … which are invaluable contributions to the international fight against terrorism,” Mueller said.

“These ships are coming for identified purposes, not just for a regularly scheduled deployment, and we are eager to put them to work … .”

The ships will be working in conjunction with other nations, including NATO allies and countries in northern Africa, she said.

(source)
Hmmm (some more).