Experts suggested the ship would serve not only as target practice for new Iranian cruise missiles and for the IRGC’s fleet of small, fast-attack boats, but that the drill would also send a message to Washington, which has two aircraft carriers deployed to the region. Earlier this year, Sputnik reported that satellite images showed Tehran was rebuilding a mock aircraft carrier similar in size and design to the US Navy’s huge warships after having heavily bombarded it in 2015. Jim Malloy, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain, told DVIDS the fleet has “effectively employed similar joint capabilities in the past to counter belligerent forces that attempt to disrupt or hinder the free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation in this region using force, or attack US, coalition, or partner forces in a conflict,” a clear reference to Iran’s elite IRGC, which has seen more than one tense situation with American forces in the region in recent years.Īs the US has pressed Tehran with “maximum pressure” sanctions and posturing that has come perilously close to war, the IRGC has emphasized its ability not only to close the narrow straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, but also to strike US naval forces in the region. American forces are now sending B-52 bombers, AC-130 gunships and Reaper drones to try and push the jihadists back from other capitals such as Lashkar Gah, Herat and Kandahar, which have come. It is large, slow and vulnerable to air defense systems including increasingly effective. “The effectiveness of this joint capability to conduct maritime strike, reconnaissance and armed overwatch was clearly displayed during this live-fire event,” Mirisola said. The AC-130 Spectre Gunship Still Plays a Critical Role in America’s Close Air Support Capability.
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