Trailrider #896 Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 A tanker in the Gulf of Aden or thereabouts was struck by a Houthi drone today. No report on the extent of damages, but the U.S.S Carney shot down 14 drones as well. (Wonder how much of the SM-3 (Standard Missile-3) they have left before running out of ammo...obviously classified! Defense Sec'y Austin said that a "coallition" must take some action as these attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are interfering with Freedom of the Seas, having little to do with the Israeli-Hamass war. Manufacture of these anti-ship missiles and drones is beyond the capabilities of the Houthis, so they are coming from Iran. Why are we, the United States of America, allegedly the most powerful nation on Earth, with plenty of assets in the region not taking action to take out the launch sites in Houthi-controlled Yemen? I was taught in AFROTC 101 that a nation's power not only depends on the capability to use force, but the will to use it when necessary! As the words in another verse of the Star Spangled Banner say, "And conquer we must, when our cause it is just... And this be out motto, 'In God is our Trust'"! How long, Oh, Lord! How Long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 2 hours ago, Trailrider #896 said: A tanker in the Gulf of Aden or thereabouts was struck by a Houthi drone today. No report on the extent of damages, but the U.S.S Carney shot down 14 drones as well. (Wonder how much of the SM-3 (Standard Missile-3) they have left before running out of ammo...obviously classified! Defense Sec'y Austin said that a "coallition" must take some action as these attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are interfering with Freedom of the Seas, having little to do with the Israeli-Hamass war. Manufacture of these anti-ship missiles and drones is beyond the capabilities of the Houthis, so they are coming from Iran. Why are we, the United States of America, allegedly the most powerful nation on Earth, with plenty of assets in the region not taking action to take out the launch sites in Houthi-controlled Yemen? I was taught in AFROTC 101 that a nation's power not only depends on the capability to use force, but the will to use it when necessary! As the words in another verse of the Star Spangled Banner say, "And conquer we must, when our cause it is just... And this be out motto, 'In God is our Trust'"! How long, Oh, Lord! How Long? Not really classified: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh_Burke-class_destroyer A Flight I or II has 90 MK41 VLS cells. The load out can be tailored to the mission, but probably between 60-70 SAM's, with the remainder being Tomahawk missiles. As to the rest, going after Iran risks a regional war and the possibility of the Russians and Chinese being dragged into it, which would be rather less than ideal. Logistically a land war with Iran would be a stretch and trying to conquer Iran would be difficult. A lot of resources (missiles, ammunition, cannon shells, drones) have been sent to Ukraine and I'm pretty sure we lack the stockpiles for a major conflict right now. Add a major spike in the cost of oil with a world economy that I suspect is rather fragile right now and the financial costs could be significant. While I have the urge to make Iran truly regret annoying the U.S., I recognize that's an emotional response and probably not the best choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted December 19, 2023 Author Share Posted December 19, 2023 Nobody is talking about a land war with Iran. Hit the Houthi launch sites (if they can be found and targeted). As to Iran "annoying" the U.S., they are, so far targeting commercial shipping via the Houthi and Syrian proxies. These commercial fleets are now going to avoid the Red Sea, sending their shipping around the Cape of Good Hope, which will take weeks and drive up the cost of petroleum. What should we do if and when U.S. personnel are KIA? Russia has enough problems with Ukraine, in spite of Putin rattling the nuclear saber. China isn't even that happy with Putin. I am more concerned with China's actions in the Indo-Pacific. (Which, BTW, is why we are renovating the airstrips on Tinian!) The way you stop a bully is to belt him/her in the chops before you wind up in a serious/deadly fight. Appeasement doesn't work! (See Neville Whatshisname...the guy they named the umbrella after!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 Reducing the traffic using the Suez Canal is not going to make Egypt happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckshot Bear Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 I think Australia is sending a war ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.D. Daily Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 Individuals from the Trump administration say Iran was warned of significant retaliation for attacks on US citizens in the middle east. The attacks by Iran surrogates didn't end so, Iran's chief terrorist, Sulamani, was smoked as his motorcade left Baghdad's airport. I believe the Houthis may have responded. However after the Swiss embassy sent a diplomatic message from the White-house saying don't do it again or we will KILL your supreme leader. They stopped because a threat from DJT was a promise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantry Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 12 hours ago, Trailrider #896 said: Nobody is talking about a land war with Iran. Hit the Houthi launch sites (if they can be found and targeted). As to Iran "annoying" the U.S., they are, so far targeting commercial shipping via the Houthi and Syrian proxies. These commercial fleets are now going to avoid the Red Sea, sending their shipping around the Cape of Good Hope, which will take weeks and drive up the cost of petroleum. What should we do if and when U.S. personnel are KIA? Russia has enough problems with Ukraine, in spite of Putin rattling the nuclear saber. China isn't even that happy with Putin. I am more concerned with China's actions in the Indo-Pacific. (Which, BTW, is why we are renovating the airstrips on Tinian!) The way you stop a bully is to belt him/her in the chops before you wind up in a serious/deadly fight. Appeasement doesn't work! (See Neville Whatshisname...the guy they named the umbrella after!) Your belief that Russia and China won't involve themselves is a best case premise. What prevents Iran from invading Iraq and moving west toward Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the other relatively moderate Arab countries? Options at this level need to be viewed with the worst case in mind. Neville Chamberlain made the only choice he could, Great Britain (and France) wasn't even close to being ready for war against Germany. Things changed when the atomic bomb was invented. The nuclear powers* do not engage directly in hostilities with each other. They may fight through proxies, with volunteers and supply equipment, but they don't fight each other. *China did not explode it's first nuclear weapon until 1964 so the fighting between UN forces and Communist China did not involve opposing nuclear powers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted December 19, 2023 Author Share Posted December 19, 2023 Operation Prosperity Guardian will combine the naval elements of quite a number of nations to escort commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The Houthis and Iran have objected saying this violates international law! Nevertheless, some of the commercial outfits will send their ships around the bottom of Africa rather than through the Suez Canal, which will add time and cost, which will translate to increased prices for petroleum energy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozark Huckleberry Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 How well do western calculations work with a Shia theocracy that sees chaos as the best way to lead in the 12th Imam to initiate worldwide submission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 It's probably a good thing they don't put me in charge of target selection. If Iran wants to live in the 12th century, I'd do everything possible to put them there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 we are sitting back too long in this - but as of now thewy think they are winning because we have failed to be decisive and strike back effectively , our defence is winning but we wont score any points nor get any respect till the offence gets turned loose a couple times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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