U.S. may send second carrier to Mideast Gulf

[cal04]

The U.S. command responsible for Middle East operations has asked the Pentagon to add a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf region as a warning to Syria and Iran and to help it carry out other operations, a senior defense official said on Wednesday.

The war-fighting Central Command wants the carrier strike group and its warplanes by end-March for "deterrence" and to increase "flexibility," including for potential noncombat operations, said the official who asked not be to be named.

"It gives them (the Central Command) the flexibility to move around," she said. "And it does send a message."

No final decision on the matter has been made by the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Defense Department, which must approve it, the official added.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N20406143.htm

[whistle]

1. Just a technical clarification....what is commonly referred to as...

...the Middle East, to be geographically accurate is actually Southwest Asia, I believe.

[Hardrada]

3. I like Asia Minor.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. I don't like the message were sending.

How about sitting down and talking instead.

[whistle]

5. Right, deliver the message in person....

[Monkeyman]

4. Count on this happening