Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Enters Red Sea

Is this a prelude to a naval confrontation between Iran and the US and its allies or simply a normal rotation in support of the Iraq mission?

A U.S. naval carrier group, reportedly containing at least one Israeli vessel, passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea and toward the Gulf on June 18.

Officials said the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, accompanied by a German Navy vessel, was assigned to rotate forces in support of U.S. military operations in Iraq and the surrounding region.

Officials said the carrier group, with Egyptian approval, completed its journey through the Suez Canal on June 18. The group contained an aircraft carrier, guided missile cruiser, Aegis-class destroyers and the German frigate FGS Hessen.

On June 19, the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi reported that two Israel Navy vessels accompanied the U.S. carrier group through the canal. In a June 21 statement, the U.S. Navy did not cite Israeli participation.

"I am very proud of the men and women of the Truman Carrier Strike Group as we join the Fifth Fleet," Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, said.

"We have trained hard to support our troops on the ground in Afghanistan and we look forward to working with our regional maritime partners to enhance interoperability and security," Driscoll said.

Officials said the U.S. passage through the Suez marked a major security and safety effort. They said the Egyptian military facilitated the voyage of the carrier group without incident.

"I was surprised by how close we were to land," Jason Kowalski, a sailor aboard Truman, said.

By: Shelldrake