FRANCE SENDS CHARLES DE GAULLE CBG (In Arabian Sea)

http://www.warshipsifr.com/terrorism_special4.html

France has sent the nuclear-powered carrier Charles de Gaulle, with her attendant Carrier Battle Group, to the Arabian Sea. Photo: Marine Nationale.

France has deployed her nuclear aircraft Carrier Battle Group to operations in the Arabian Sea. This is possible because the Charles de Gaulle (R91) has returned to service after a routine maintenance lay-up. The combat zone deployment is well timed, as the new carrier needs to undertake extensive long-distance sea trials. The de Gaulle was scheduled to deploy in mid-December and her CBG includes a replenishment ship, a Cassard Class Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) frigate and most probably an Améthyste Class SSN. France has already deployed the replenishment ship BCR Var, the La Fayette Class frigate Courbet (F712), the support and maintenance vessel BSM Loire and two Eridan Class mine-hunting vessels, the Persée (M649) and Pégase (M644).

While the official purpose of the deployment is to take part in action to prevent exfiltration of terrorists from Afghanistan by sea, the Americans have not specifically requested the Charles de Gaulle CBG. Indeed, an additional La Fayette Class frigate would seem more appropriate for hunting down terrorists in small boats. The Charles de Gaulle will carry helicopters along with her E2C Hawkeye surveillance aircraft and Super Etendard fighters/bombers. Two Rafale strike fighters might also join the deployment, although they are not yet equipped for air-to-land attacks. In fact, the carrier's naval aviation trials were to take place at the beginning of December. Some say the decision to send her to the Middle East has not been carefully planned and is a political gesture. In the meantime, French ground forces are currently stranded in Uzbekistan thanks to the Northern Alliance declining their presence in Afghanistan.
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From other sources it arrived today in the Arabian Sea joining the Stennis group and Iran seeing it announced renewed War Games

a picture of it



Its Impressive seems like Chirac wants to go out with a firm hand

Sea Phase of 'Aman 07' Exercises Ends
http://english.china.com/zh_cn/news/international/11020308/20070312/13985514.html



http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=355719&sid=SAS
Joint naval exercise not mobilisation against Iran: Pakistan
Islamabad, Feb 21: Dismissing reports that its joint exercises next month with 27 other navies was part of a mobilisation against Tehran, Pakistan on Monday said the manoeuvres were planned a month ahead and had nothing to do with the situation in Iran.

"The exercise Aman-07 had nothing to do with the situation in Iran as it was planned a year ago," Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir said here.

He rejected reports in the media that the exercise was linked to the huge build-up of western navies in the region due to their standoff with Iran, The Dawn reported.

Chinese and western navies and Iranian observers will participate in a multi-nation naval exercise to be held by the Pakistan navy early next month.

Navies of 27 countries will take part in the exercise. Eight of the countries will participate in the exercise with their naval forces, naval aviation elements and special operation forces and the rest will be represented by observers one from each country.

The participating nations included Bangladesh, China, France, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States, besides Pakistan.

Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, Spain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran are sending their observers.

The exercises would commence with an international maritime conference at the Bahria University in which Indian experts would also participate.

The Pakistan navy a part of the international coalition against terrorism Aman 07 was aimed at displaying united resolve against terrorism and projecting Pakistan as a country contributing to peace and stability, as well as consolidating the pnfs position in the regional maritime security matrix, he said.

A cargo vessel being stopped in the Arabian Sea, during the US Navy's stop-and-search hunt for Al-Qaeda and Taliban fugitives. Photo: US Navy.



scroll down and you will see that America's Embargo and Sanctions are under way int the Arabian Sea

I don't know if Congress knows this probably but America doesn't in essence from what I understand International Law
Sanctions is like a war declaration right where you stop all ships and search kinda like the Cuban Missile crisis

serious business