Replies to post #35 on Nuclear Planet

[SeriousMoney]

Straight of Hormuz - Satellite View

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Strait of Hormuz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_of_Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically important stretch of ocean between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Persian Gulf in the southwest. On the north coast is Iran (Persia) and on the south coast is the United Arab Emirates and an exclave of Oman.

The strait at its narrowest is 21 miles wide [1], having two 1 mile wide channels for marine traffic separated by a 2 mile wide buffer zone [2], and is the only sea passage to the open ocean for large areas of the petroleum exporting Persian Gulf States.

[SeriousMoney]

The Strait of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean, has been a strategic focus in world affairs for thousands of years. In the last few decades some 25% of the worlds oil production has passed through it. This web site is about the islands and the coastal regions on either side of the strait. http://www.dataxinfo.com/index.htm

[SeriousMoney]

U.S. Fifth Fleet (C5F), an Echelon III command, supports all naval operations in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR). It encompasses about 7.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 25 countries, includes Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Somalia.

The usual force of 20-plus ships, with about 1,000 people ashore and 15,000 afloat, consists of a Carrier Battle Group, Amphibious Ready Group, combat aircraft, and other support units and ships. Fifth Fleet exemplifies the Department of the Navy's strategic concept "Forward... From the sea," by providing the ability to respond immediately to any emerging crisis from peace-keeping and humanitarian missions to asserting necessary force in regional conflicts.

The U.S. FIFTH Fleet was reestablished July 1, 1995 in the Central Command area of responsibility as a second responsibility of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Vice Admiral Scott Redd became the fifth Commander of FIFTH Fleet followed by Vice Admiral Thomas B. Fargo in June 1996. Vice Admiral Charles W. Moore, Jr. assumed command of FIFTH Fleet on July 27, 1998.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/c5f.htm

[SeriousMoney]

5th Fleet Mission http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Pages/Mission%20page.htm

Sea Lanes of Communication. Coalition maritime forces operate under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.

Area of Responsibility http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/Pages/AOR%20page.htm

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, 5th Fleet's area of responsibility encompasses about 7.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 27 countries, includes three critical chokepoints at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

[SeriousMoney]

5th Fleet homeport at Manama [Juffair], Bahrain [Al Manamah]
26°14'10"N 50°34'59"E

It was fortunate for the Navy that the Bahrainis recognized years ago that Juffair would make a good place for future development. The capital, Manama, lies on a small peninsula at the northeast corner of Bahrain’s principal island, and the downtown hub hugs the shoreline. The port and Navy base are southeast of downtown, distant from the rest of the island. The U.S. Navy base at Juffair, about 5 miles southeast of Manama, provides onshore offices for the Navy's 5th Fleet, which has aircraft carriers, destroyers and other ships stationed in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/manama.htm

[SeriousMoney]

United States Naval Support Activity, Bahrain http://www.nsa.bahrain.navy.mil/

The Kingdom of Bahrain, or Bahrain (formerly spelled Bahrein), is a borderless island nation in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway, and Qatar is to the south across the Persian Gulf. The Qatar–Bahrain Friendship Bridge will link Bahrain to Qatar.

Bahrain is the fastest growing economy in the Arab world in January 2006. Petroleum production and processing account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Persian Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain

Bahrain - CIA Factbook http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ba.html