RawStory: US navy starts crisis response exercises in Gulf

[FourScore]

US navy starts crisis response exercises in Gulf
Published: Friday November 2, 2007

US naval forces in the Gulf are conducting exercises to enhance their capacity to respond to crises, the Fifth Fleet said on Friday from its base in Bahrain.

The manoeuvres, which began on Thursday involving amphibious, air and medical forces, are the first of a series of exercises planned in the Gulf in November "to demonstrate a wide range of capabilities, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief assistance," a statement said.

The statement linked the drills to potential disaster situations or oil spills without mentioning military conflict.

But the exercises come as the White House ramps up its rhetoric against Iran, warning recently of "World War III" if Tehran obtained atomic weapons.

Britain said on Friday it will send an aircraft carrier to the Gulf in early 2008, although it said the deployment was not linked to possible military action against Iran, which denies seeking an atomic bomb.

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_navy_starts_crisis_response_exer_11022007.html

[lawn2garden]

1. Persian Gulf?

Just saying. :yoiks:

[FourScore]

2. "from it's base in Bahrain" is pretty much a giveaway. n/t

[lawn2garden]

3. Relating back to an earlier DU post

here
Surprised to see this Raw Story oversight.