U.S. confirms plans for military operations near Nigeria
From Laolu Akande, New York
CONFIRMATION has come from United States (U.S.) military sources that its war-ships may soon move close to Nigeria's territorial waters.
Described as an operation to "demonstrate the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat power across the globe by operating in five theatres with other U.S. and coalition military forces," it involves seven warships.
According to Lt. Doug Talk of the Fleet Forces Command Media Officer who spoke with The Guardian during the week, the ships would be armed and prepared as though they were going for real military action in terms of equipment and capability.
Asked whether the deployment has anything to do with the major Delta crisis, the military spokesman replied: "No sir, this is a normal exercise."
A statement on the operation, to which Talk made reference, said the exercise will start soon and will last till August. It explained further that the operation is the United State's first use of its new operational equipment, the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), which is about "new ways of operating, training, manning and maintaining the fleet that results in increased force readiness and the ability to provide significant combat power to the (U.S.) President in response to a national emergency or crisis."
Indications emerged however, from The Guardian investigations that the U.S., intends to through the exercise send a strong warning around the regions and countries close to the Gulf of Guinea, especially regarding America's intentions to fight terrorism.
The Guardian also learnt that the Gulf of Guinea is close to many hotbeds.
A source also said the U.S. was interested in "enhancing regional security and relationships," suggesting that the U.S. may involve some of its partners in the exercise.
However, asked whether Nigerian troops would be involved in the exercise in the Gulf of Guinea. The source also reveal that such a decision had been taken by the U.S. military.
The afore-mentioned statement adds however, that there are expectations that U.S. allies, partners and coalitions would be involved at some point in this kind of exercise around the globe.
The seven aircraft carriers involved are:
The Norfolk-based USS George Washington CSG and the San Diego-based USS John C. Stennis CSG, both currently deployed, and Yokosuka, Japan-based USS Kitty Hawk.
The Mayport, Florida-based USS John F Kennedy CSG will begin a combined and joint exercise early this month, followed by a scheduled overseas deployment. The Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman CSG will conduct a scheduled training exercise followed by overseas pulse operations with the Norfolk-based USS Enterprise CSG, beginning early this month.
USS Ronald Reagan will conduct operations in the U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command theatres during the ship's inter fleet transfer from Norfolk, Vergina, to its Pacific Fleet homeport of San Diego.
It was not stated which of these war-ships would be headed for the Gulf of Guinea, but Lt. Talk said all the aircraft would not be deployed at once. The release also said the near-simultaneous deployment of seven carrier strike groups provides the Navy and the joint combatant commanders an opportunity to exercise the FRP while "maintaining the ability to respond to crises around the globe."`
