U.S. conducts major Persian Gulf war games; guess Bush needs a distraction

[ProSense]

Two US carriers in Gulf war games for first time since 2003

2 hours, 19 minutes ago

MANAMA (AFP) - The US navy said on Tuesday it is staging major war games in the Gulf with two aircraft carriers for the first time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, at a time of heightened tension with Iran.

The manoeuvres involve the USS John C. Stennis, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and their battle groups.

They are being held as tensions run high between the West and the Islamic republic over Tehran's nuclear drive and the capture last week of 15 British marines and sailors in a waterway between Iran and Iraq in the northern Gulf.

"Two air wings from the aircraft carriers will conduct air warfare exercises while the surface components will conduct exercises in three general disciplines: anti-submarine, anti-surface and mine warfare," the Fifth Fleet said in a statement.

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Gonzales in in "hotter" water, but the WH is swimming in suspicion

[indepat]

1. Gee, hope no nation thinks they can get away with playing war games one mile outside US territorial

waters: surely we the people would take umbrage.

[ProSense]

2. BBC: US Navy starts war games in Gulf

US Navy starts war games in Gulf

The US Navy has begun its most extensive manoeuvres in the Gulf region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but denies sabre-rattling aimed at Iran.

Two aircraft carriers, plus their strike groups, have sailed to the region and have begun war games involving as many as 100 US war planes.

The exercises follow Iran's capture of 15 British navy personnel, and high tension over its nuclear programme.

The US Navy said the exercises were not meant to exert pressure on Iran.

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The exercises involve more than 10,000 US personnel on warships and aircraft making simulated attacks on enemy shipping with aircraft and ships, hunting enemy submarines and finding mines, the Associated Press reported.

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[Bandit]

3. WTF ..I thought we were "at war"...why are we playing games?

We won WW II in less time than we have been involved in Iraq and yet we feel the need to play games....Am I missing something here? How many "War Games" did we have going on during WW II?