Ragnarok Maeg Thread (Update: Sixth Fleet to the Black Sea Next Week p.91)

In the North Arabian Sea

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Carrier Air Wing 3 and IKE’s escorts are operating in the North Arabian Sea after arriving in U.S. Central Command in early April to support the ongoing anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve. CENTCOM commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie requested that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin keep the strike group in CENTCOM instead of continuing on with its planned operations in other regions to support the movement of U.S. military forces and equipment out of Afghanistan.

While the Biden White House has set a Sept. 11, 2021, deadline for a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, it’s unclear how long a strike group will be required to remain in the region.

The Pentagon is rethinking what naval presence in the Middle East will look like after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan later this year – in particular, whether carrier strike groups will constantly operate there, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said on Thursday, reported USNI News.

Navy carrier strike group surge deployments to support the ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last two decades have been a major driver toward the service’s current carrier readiness challenges.

Additionally, cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61) seized a massive cache of Russian-made weapons from a “stateless dhow” in the North Arabian Sea.

“The cache of weapons included dozens of advanced Russian-made anti-tank guided missiles, thousands of Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, and hundreds of PKM machine guns, sniper rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Other weapon components included advanced optical sights,” U.S. 5th Fleet said in a statement.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Norfolk-based CSG 2 commands the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

Carrier Air Wing 3, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Dwight D. Eisenhower and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA-32 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.The “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.The “Wildcats” of VFA-131 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.The “Rampagers” of VFA-83 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.The “Zappers” of VAQ-130 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.The “Screwtops” of VAW-123 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.The “Rawhides” of VRC-40 – Detachment – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.The “Dusty Dogs” of HSC-7 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.The “Swamp Foxes” of HSM-74 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Cruisers

USS Monterey (CG-61), homeported in Norfolk, Va.USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22

Destroyer Squadron 22 is based at Norfolk and its leaders are embarked on Eisenhower.

USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), homeported in Mayport, Fla.USS Laboon (DDG-58), homeported in Norfolk, Va.USS Mitscher (DDG-57), homeported in Norfolk, Va.USS Mahan (DDG-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va.In the Gulf of Aden

The Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC-1142) transited the Suez Canal on May 7 and are now operating in the 5th Fleet area of operations.

Charles Moulthrope and Robert Goldman are traveling to their new forward-deployed homeport in Bahrain to replace decommissioning Island-class patrol boats as part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). Moulthrope and Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships scheduled joining PATFORSWA, which is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 55.

While in 5th Fleet, the crews will conduct maritime security operations and support engagements with regional and coalition partners, strengthening relationships and demonstrating continued commitment to global maritime security and stability.

Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States.

Continues:


[link to news.usni.org (secure)]

So on the whole "Russian made weapons" thing...

I took a very close look at those seized weapons and by FAR the vast majority were CHINESE MADE!

Now they admit the type 56's were Chinese but as a gun guy for my entire 39 years I can tell you that the pile of "dragunovs" were actually Norinco tigers!

Same with the "pkm's" the "rpg's" and even the atgm's (the atgm's match kinds the chicoms can and do make and are very capable of putting Russian markings on)

That was a shipment of chicom gray zone warfare deniable weapons, there's no Russia about it!

Edit to add: yes I'm VERY SURE about the "svd's and pkm's" there's visible identifiable differences between Chinese made versions and Russian ones.

It might not seem like a big deal for them to misidentify a shipment like this but if I KNOW this about that weapons cache THEY KNOW IT TOO!

That means that they're lying deliberately about this shit and that has implications I don't like.

I don't even think it's important where they came from.


Probably bought for cash.