[Armageddon]

This can't be good. That will give them 4 carriers over there ready for action. Goodbye Iran. Carriers

[RSFB]

The first question which should be asked is, "Is the Kuwait Times a reliable source?"

[Cashmere]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RSFB', 'T')he first question which should be asked is, "Is the Kuwait Times a reliable source?"

[RSFB]

Even if this is true, it would probably just be a show of force and/or putting pressure on Iran. That seems to be the case most of the times aircraft carriers are deployed...

Still not a comfortable thought, assuming it's true.

[benzoil]

Don't we have this discussion every time they rotate carrier groups in and out of the Gulf? Every X months, when they replace a carrier group, they have one extra group in the region until the one departs.

IF you were insane enough to start a third war in the middle east you would probably do it when you had an extra carrier group on hand, but it does not automatically mean war when the US has an extra carrier group in the Gulf.

[RSFB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('benzoil', 'D')on't we have this discussion every time they rotate carrier groups in and out of the Gulf? Every X months, when they replace a carrier group, they have one extra group in the region until the one departs.
IF you were insane enough to start a third war in the middle east you would probably do it when you had an extra carrier group on hand, but it does not automatically mean war when the US has an extra carrier group in the Gulf.

[gollum]

I think, anything over 2 carriers on station (not in process of rotating) is a definate red flag. Any other deployments overseas (patriot missiles, air wings, subs, support vessles)?

[mos6507]

[Minvaren]

They've had three in the area when rotating before for certain. Four is probably an extra nudge to Iran at this point.

[BigTex]

I see the window for action as being pretty small.

Probably after the Olympics and before the November election.

One way or another, we will see a resolution of this drama pretty soon.

[benzoil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RSFB', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('benzoil', 'D')on't we have this discussion every time they rotate carrier groups in and out of the Gulf? Every X months, when they replace a carrier group, they have one extra group in the region until the one departs.
IF you were insane enough to start a third war in the middle east you would probably do it when you had an extra carrier group on hand, but it does not automatically mean war when the US has an extra carrier group in the Gulf.

[Twilight]

They have had four before, in fact more if you count the smaller conventional ones. It is the same old story.

[Leanan]

Here is the original article from the Kuwait Times:

Govt finalizing war emergency plan

[dorlomin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('benzoil', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RSFB', 'W')ould 4 carrier groups be unprecedented?

[rdsaltpower]

lol! good one mos6507, love that pic

[jlw61]

I don't know how up-to-date or reliable these links are but:

CV Locations

US Navy Fact Sheet

[jupiters_release]

Just as the consequences of overshoot are inevitable, so is war. The anticipation gets hammered in the media until we're so tired of hearing about it we'll actually want it to happen. PR psychology is very simple and works quite well. Iran is taking so much longer than Iraq only because there's a severe law of diminishing returns when conditioning the public with the same set of bullsh*t of a few years prior, not to mention the global economic implications of war w/Iran make Iraq and 9/11 seem insignificant. All in due time, have faith the central banks know what's best for them.

[benzoil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jupiters_release', 'A')ll in due time, have faith the central banks know what's best for them.

[WyoDutch]

We won't stop sticking our big, red nose into everyone else's business until the day arrives that we pull back a bloody stump... in the form of a burning carrier or other event of similar graphic impact.

If we do sucker-punch Iran and they get a few licks in... we'll piss and moan like the schoolyard bully that took a shot to his own nose.

[PeakingAroundtheCorner]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', '[')img]http://www.afunnystuff.com/forumpics/notagain.jpg[/img]