Think it's gonna need VertRep support?

[helolumpy]

Interesting as an Afloat Forward Staging Base. It's been done before successfully pretty recently, glad to see the Navy is expanding the concept.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...p-into-floating-commando-base-in-middle-east/

 

[squorch2]

Sea Base returns!

 

[scoolbubba]

I'll bet it gets a sweet gym.

 

[Pags]

Neat. Harkens back to the LSTs used by HAL-3 in the Mekong delta.

 

[scoolbubba]

Didn't the 160th fly off something similar in Desert Storm or the Tanker war?

 

[helolumpy]

The USS AMERICA supported the 160th before.

http://ussamerica-museumfoundation.org/history.html


On 13 September, less than two weeks after leaving the shipyard, AMERICA was in the Atlantic heading for Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. As the world focused on the situation in Haiti, AMERICA carried not her normal air wing, but elements of the Joint Special Operations Command and helicopters of the 160th Army Special Aviation Regiment. Arriving at VooDoo Station on 17 September, word was received the next day to execute the planned invasion of Haiti that evening. However 45 minutes after being issued, the order was canceled by President Clinton.

 

[helolumpy]

For more discussion on Sea basing of SOF, take a look at: http://www.acquisitionresearch.net/files/FY2010/ARP-AA-10-011.pdf

 

[revan1013]

Wouldn't they be concerned about having a single, centralized, floating target with all their resources in one spot? Even if it's mobile would Big Navy divert enough assets to protect it?

Would it be integrated into an expeditionary strike group or be escorted in some way?

 

[jt71582]

Would it be integrated into an expeditionary strike group or be escorted in some way?

PICK ME!

 

[KBayDog]

PICK ME!

Too late, we've already ID'd an Aviator with the requisite skill sets.

 

[insanebikerboy]

Too late, we've already ID'd an Aviator with the requisite skill sets.

You could just see that one coming.

 

[KBayDog]

You could just see that one coming.

Keep your expectations low, and I guarantee I'll never disappoint.

 

[jt71582]

Keep your expectations low, and I guarantee I'll never disappoint.

Never flew with you in the HT's (I don't think), but that's MY line!

 

[Pags]

Didn't the 160th fly off something similar in Desert Storm or the Tanker war?

Yeah during Operation PRIME CHANCE. Here's a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Prime_Chance

 

[Flash]

Wouldn't they be concerned about having a single, centralized, floating target with all their resources in one spot? Even if it's mobile would Big Navy divert enough assets to protect it?

Would it be integrated into an expeditionary strike group or be escorted in some way?

With the exception of Iran there really isn't a threat in the region against it and even then they could be far enough away from the coast in Iran to largely nullify that threat, except when they went through the Strait of Hormuz and then they could tag along with a CVBG or ARG going through.