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U.S. extends warship deployment in Persian Gulf
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Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, May 10, 2002
The United States has decided to extend the deployment
of a marine and naval force in the Persian Gulf.
U.S. officials said two units have been told they will stay in the Gulf
for at least several more weeks. The units are providing security for U.S.
warships and other vessels in the Gulf and Arabian Sea.
The units include the 3th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is capable of
special operations, and the Amphibious Squadron Three. Both of them are
deployed aboard USS Bonhomme Richard and support vessels and make up the
Amphibious Ready Group.
Officials said the marine unit is on alert in the Gulf region and is now
expected to return to their bases by the end of June. Meanwhile, they are
continuing training in firearms and martial arts.
Another unit is preparing for a U.S. exercise in the Gulf region. The
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is being deployed in the Gulf of Aden and
is helping secure the arrival of personnel for an exercise by U.S. Central
Command.
It is not clear whether the military exercise will include Yemen. U.S.
forces have not been deployed in Aden since the suicide attack on the USS
Cole in October 2000.
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