The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) has entered the Mediterranean Sea, having navigated through the Strait of Gibraltar on October 28, as detailed by Carrier Strike Group Two Public Affairs.
As an integral part of the U.S. Navy’s global force, the IKECSG joins efforts to secure Israel’s defence and prevent regional conflict.
“Our arrival in the Mediterranean, en route to CENTCOM, provides reassurance to our allies and partners that we are committed to ensuring their security and well-being,” stated Rear Adm. Marc Miguez in a press release.
“Our presence, along with that of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier strike group, demonstrates the combat power and proficiency of the Navy’s deployed forces,” emphasised Rear Adm. Miguez.
The carrier strike group is composed of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN69), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), alongside Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, which includes nine squadrons specializing in various aspects of aerial warfare.
If UK T45 and T23 had TLAM capability, the CSG could be much smaller. 1x T45 and 2 T23 would be adequate for most non-china related taskings. More evidence that the UK needs MULTI ROLE assets, not specialist ones.
Why? Adding TLAM will do nothing to reduce the number of escorts since you’d still want a SSN going around with the CSG, and since the SSN is the TLAM asset….
While the sub is getting (and waiting?) in position, who is defending the task group? Ships can wait in position for weeks, if not months before giving the go ahead. The submarine has a far more important tasking.
It should also be noted against ‘lesser’ nations like Yemen or east Africa, a submarine isn’t even necessary if a ship has stand off land attack capability.
While the T-45 is getting in position who is defending the task group? AAW has a far more important tasking. The same logic works if you only have 1x T-45 escorting. More so because as you said, if you’re off Yemen you probably won’t have to Spearfish a Yemeni submarine, but you’ll probably want to lob a few Aster and CAMM at incoming missiles.
A well organised group and not one cobbled together with anything you have would be good enough and powerful enough to engage in all manner of Scenarios.
Air is the far greater threat to any task group…there are actually very few submarines in this world..but huge amounts of air threats….why would you ever weaken your air defence….by sending your air defence vessels off…..
If you weren’t as pathetic in numbers as the RN You’d be able to task any ship as required for the security of the whole thing
Sorry Andy not sure what you mean, I understand the numbers bit at the beginning, but not sure what you meant by the second part of the sentence ?
Assuming that the CSG might have the benefit of an American arleihgh burk attached the defensive capabilities would be greatly boosted
Half a dozen f 35’s and a few tomahawks lobbed out of a submarine? The u.k allegedly powerful carrier strike group wouldn’t worry Belgium
And what is Belgium going to do about it?
I’m not sure you understand just how powerful a Tomahawk is, the destruction of any building you like is nothing to laugh at, given that their only air defence, based on a quick Google, is tactical Mistral batteries?
There’s a opportunity begging to put 2*MK41s on the T45s but it looks like this is going to be covered by a 4*6 CAMM farm. Understand the T45 are AAW but IMHO a bit of a other weaponry in its chest would help make it even more potent than it is now. It’s good that the T31s are upgrading to 4*MK41s, but no one knows what’s going in them yet, but there’s obviously been some money for theses silos. The RAN here in Aus will be putting TLAMs on the Hobart’s as wells as NSM, SM2-3, ESSM and TWS. It’ll… Read more »
Spot on about the Type 45 the more potential is there .Think as ever the problem is called the MR Hunt from the Treasury oh and PM 💰😕
It is a shame that they may be covering up the area allocated to the Mk41, especially as there are other areas that could be used for CAMM. Such as in between the funnel and the middle mast.
The type 45 will end up carrying an 80 missile mix…that’s not bad by any stretch. I’m not sure how much more space you can find on a 7000 ton hull that also has a top end sensor kit, medium gun and facilities for the largest navel small ship flight on any ship ( Merlin).
I agree, with 48 Aster 30s and 24 CAMM is a good mix and will make it very hard to get past. However, the ship’s Sylver A50 VLS is now the limiting factor. If these were the longer A70 VLS, it would be a lot more flexible allowing more options. As it would mean Aster could then have a much larger 1st stage booster, as per SM6. Which uses the SM3 1st stage motor, to help it reach altitudes over 100,000ft. At the moment Aster 30 takes up the full length of the A50 cell. Which is why I think… Read more »
Wonder why they couldn’t put a couple of A70 silos in the front then or convert the rear A50 silos? Probably difficult and ridiculously expensive to do.
The T45s are getting the navel strike missile. So they will be carrying 8 heavyweight anti ship missiles that are also a strike package. It’s not as big a strike package as say a AB can carry. but 8 200km+ range precision strike missiles with a 260Lb warhead is not nothing by any stretch. I think 24 more anti air missiles and 8 strike missiles, upgrading the sensors as well as a ABM package is better for the T45 than spending the cash on 12-18 mk41 launchers.
I’ve long had interest in military tech, but unfortunately wasn’t able to serve in the navy due to an injury. I cannot understand your post which has an almost humerous amount of acronyms. This makes your post so esoteric the average person couldn’t make head nor tail of it.
Hi Tony the only acronyms I used were AB for Arleigh Burke class and ABM for anti ballistic missile…
Even 24 CAMM could be 3×6 for 36 if they went down the sides. Maybe that’s OTT for some but for long deployments, counter drones, loitering munitions, I’d rather have a bit more than less. The NSM could FFBNW 4×4. Agree that’s turning the T45s more into a Cruiser that she’s not but if space and weight allow then why not. Hope they can find some monies to upgrade the ASW suite on these T45s and not just have it switched off or understaffed. And also give (some of) the Wildcats a dipping Sonar kit. Maybe the upgraded T31s are… Read more »
Personally the thing i would really like to see on top of the present ugrades is actually a change of the gun set up on the T45I think people vastly underestimate the importance of navel guns…I would like to see the 4.5inch replaced by a 57mm as well as the two 30mm to be replaces by 40mm..removing the 4.5inch would in the end be economically sensible as well as militarily…as once the last T23 goes the navy can remove the entire 4.5inch type…this will save on logistics and training pipelines as well as make the T45 a more effectively AAW… Read more »
My much shorter reply…lol… Agree on the supply chain and logistics but removing the main 4.5” guns on the T45s would be a costly task and wouldn’t having a bigger gun still have its usefulness as you can’t keep throwing missiles at everything and especially if our potential adversaries are still keeping their bigger guns. And if I can be scandalous and propose even upgunning to the 5” for commonality with the T26s? Big monies either way. Could even pinch the 57mm off the T31s for the T45s and give the T31 the 5”. I’m with you as are others… Read more »
Yes it’s a busy old time, re the Merlin’s, interestingly the production line is still open so we could order more..and the are the 5-6 Merlin 1s that could be rebuilt, but I think the biggest pinch point on the Merlin fleet is the need to designate 3 Merlin’s as AEW for the Carrier strike group if you remember the rule of three it takes 9 assets to generate 3 operational assets…so essentially operating those three Merlin’s in AEW configuration takes almost a 3rd of the resource….so if we could rebuild the the mark ones or buy 6 new Merlin… Read more »
The u.k should design a build it’s own version of the Russian club k system. Every ship in this navy can carry a shipping container an it could massively improve the range and capabilities of the carrier group.
Hi Andy, I think this is part of the UK PODs concept. But yes, could have happened by now. Some illustrations (i don’t know if they were official or not) of BAE’s Adaptable T32 frigate showed containers with CAMM and cannistered missiles. And not just Navy ships, even the RFAs, day to day cargo-container ships, off the back of trucks and rail cars.
Nine squadrons wow that’s some power don’t mess with that . Looks like USN battle wagons ready to dish out some serious pain .🚀🚀🚀🇮🇷 🤔
Probably only for Hezbollah. Can’t see them bombing Palestine, though surveillance and recon is undoubtedly being carried out. It all seems to much of a coincidence for me. Military assets and money is being diverted to Israel and the world’s attention is drawn there too. The media are hardly covering Ukraine now. Russia just happens to be a friend of Iran and HAMAS just happen to be friends of Iran. Putin greenlit this I reckon. It also squeezes food and fuel prices more.
Very true Putin always seems to get the is little Evil way
This is a carrier group that has huge firepower for both offensive and defensive operations. It carriers a genuine “don’t mess with me” message to any country thinking about engaging in the current Middle East conflict. Power projection in spades.
In stark contrast to the current RN carriers that lack the aircraft required for any meaningful air operations and which need the frigate defensive screen support from NATO nations before entering any European/Mediterranean threat scenario.
I think you are confusing what you class as meaningful air operations and reality. Yes, we can’t put 50 fast jets on a carrier like the Americans. But no other nation outside of America can put a 5th gen carrier with 5th gen F35s to sea and provide the level of capability they can achieve. The carrier’s and the F35 fleet are not yet at full operating capability, that isnt to say they can’t provide very capable 5th gen capability across a very wide spectrum of operations that many other nations would kill for. That airwing sat on QE can… Read more »
A stark appraisal…I hope you have tin hat ready…
Agree with you ,I better get my tin hat out ,even with our Invincible carriers we had a full air group till the government at the time took away the SH2s ,and started playing around putting RAF G7-G9s on .For me it was down hill all the way. 🙄
Couldn’t agree more, this country defence has been thrown to the dogs. By successive governments and civil service woozies and wokes.
And their still get a good night’s sleep
I suspect you’re unaware of the material condition of the SH2s at the point that they were retired. The USMC planes weren’t in much better shape, which is why they gladly snapped up the scrapped SH2s for spare parts.
Maybe so lan but don’t think HMG at the time had any interest in keeping them regardless of condition .The SH2 was a fine aircraft on Exercises against Tornado F3s ,SH2s quite often came out on top.Plus the Labour government also at the time just up rated the Engines on the Jaguars and before you knew it cut the Fleet. Says it all. 💰 🙄
I wasn’t suggesting it’s not a shambles.
Know you aren’t mate 🍺
Blair wasn’t much interested in developing our military. It was an era we got behind. I remember images of British soldiers turning up in the middle east with the wrong camo and reports in the media that they had to buy their own body armour. Britain is a small and declining nation, not a mighty empire leader like it was and we need to accept that. We can’t solve the world’s problems. Our forces should be similar to comparable nations. We rely on the Americans. We were powerless to stop the debacle in Afghanistan. But with an unfit, unhealthy ageing… Read more »
But the CAG on the invincible class was restricted by the size of the actual ship and the limited airframes in existence surely? You cannot compare the two as the current RN carriers have more growth and capability potential? Wasn’t the usual numbers about 8-9 harriers? So that being said if we still had the invincible class then we could put the F35s on them and say we have a full airgroup, and all is well, so no-one could have a bit of a moan……
we don’t , we can’t, they can .. 🙂
Not sure on the reply, a decent bottle of rum ensures you may need to elaborate what is I presume a cognitive reply 😂👍
Can’t go wrong with a Rum 😏
Fair enough that’s right the invincible carriers did have around 8-9 jets ,but the size of QEs carriers air group seems a little sad or my be disappointing in my book .But at least if money ever comes into defence there’s plenty of room for more aircraft .Wishful thinking on my part 🤗 🇬🇧
With luck and some future Government seeing the reality of the world now we may get more F35s to fill it up! Doubt it mate but we never know! The QE class are pretty amazing platforms and we don’t want to see them underused! 👍🥃
Believe HMS QNLZ currently remains at Portsmouth, presumably at X hours notice to sail. Hopefully, Hezbollah will choose to remain largely on the sideline, especially since they are reputed to have an inventory of 100-150K missiles. If it indeed hits the fan, believe USN would request that RN either backfill in the NA, or conceivably, sail in harm’s way in the Med. Baptism by fire an unpleasant possibility. 🤔😳
She is slated to sail today it appears, passing Round Tower at 1500 on her way out. Not sure where she is heading, but still has her s.all air group embarked.
Should say ‘small’ air group embarked.
HMS QNLZ ha been alongside for 4 days now, not entirely sure why, but divers have been operating on her for the past 24 odd hours, so perhaps a minor issue that needed resolving!
I pray not 🙏
My guess is inspection prior to heading to Eastern Locations.
Perhaps that is the case, but can’t see the need for her in the Eastern med. Cyprus is only some 200nm from Lebanon et al. Another carrier would just rob the other two of room to manoeuvre. We could also base 50+ aircraft at Akrotiri, which we haven’t got for the carrier.
Still, all things are possible, the next few days will no doubt reveal all.
Believe “Ike” CSG is slated to ultimately take up station in the Persian Gulf, at a convenient striking distance from Iran. Nothing intimidating mind you, just a friendly reminder USN is operating in the ‘hood…😉
Lots of F35s sitting on HMS Queen Elizabeth’s dedck in Portsmouth the last several days.
“Lots of F-35s” …. no Frank, there were EIGHT yes EIGHT, a pathetic contribution that won’t increase in the foreseeable future! This was always an unaffordable vanity project.
IT’s sadly looking that way Alan, 💰💰 🙄
The rate of construction of the F35s constrains the number that can be obtained in a given time-frame, and the complexity of the product is such that it can’t just be ‘ramped up’ in response to a crisis. In the unlikely event that the situation currently developing calls for it, the USMC could augment the air group as they did during CSG21. It won’t though, because there’s already more than enough fixed wing air power available in the region. Backfilling a presence in the NA might be a requirement, but that kind of deployment would not normally require a massive… Read more »
With the costs and delays increasing every year. September 25, 2023 “The delays could have consequences. Mission capability rates for the U.S. F-35 fleet declined in 2021 and 2022, wiping out gains achieved in 2020, GAO says. Moreover, in 2036, the F-35 fleet is expected to cost about $6 billion more than estimated to operate. The program now has four years to close the gap between cost estimates and actual spending on a cost per tail per year basis. Unless the section of the fiscal 2021 defense authorisation law is repealed, the Pentagon would be prohibited from buying more… Read more »
We do actually now have over 30 F35Bs, so that’s actually quite a respectable number….the brilliant thing about the Elizabeth’s is that they don’t need to be filled up as you can expand the air wing as needed….US carriers have to be full all the time as they need to engage on a full flight schedule just to keep their air wing pilots qualified…
Agreed, but shouldn’t we have a 100 F35s on them, each carrying a 15″ cannon under each wing and the ability to fly around during the world in 4 minutes……
Is that then 8 more than the majority of possible current opponents? Those 8 could become 16 at a push with just Uk owned airframes? Not to bad, but never enough for someone who isn’t a supporter of RN carrier capability I suppose. Cheers.
The only thing that is pathetic is your clear lack of understanding about the carrier strike project, or just what 8 F35B’s are capable of achieving on the modern battle space.
Only the eight though, way short of the 38 she is supposed to be able to carry even after nearly 6 years. Might as well have kept Ark Royal !🙄
IT does make one wonder 🤔 🇬🇧
And I suppose the 24 phantoms and buccaneers would have done so well nowadays against the 4th and 5th gen platforms in the air?
You don’t do sarcasm do you.🙄
Only if the originator is able to post a post which does seem a little sarcastic! It’s hard when it’s not verbal but keep going we will get there!
All the aircraft on QE class are F35B, most of the aircraft on Nimitz are F18. We can put 24 F35 in a surge on to QE now. 24 F35 is an enough firepower to send a message to anyone or carry out any uk solo operation. In 7 years we will be able up surge up to 60 on two carriers. F35 are taking out F18 at a exchange rate of over 20 to 1 on exercises. They don’t need F18G to escort them and they don’t even need AWACS. The USN has recognised this as well as they… Read more »
Yes but “Eggs in Baskets” springs to mind, We might just be able to embark 24 (at a push) but that’s the entire fleet. It should never be like that.
Its always eggs in baskets, but with a Fleet of 48 in a couple of years that’s 50% of the eggs, so not quite all in the basket no? War is about risk management, planning, judgemnt and some luck.
Obviously given enough time we might get to 48 but not at this time, we’d at a push get 20, if you think this is a good situation to be in, then that’s fine, personally I don’t……War is about numbers.
Numbers are always relevant mate for sure 👍
F35 will be vulnerable until Meteor is integrated. Every mile they are forced to close with an adversary of greater numbers is an increase in detection waves returning to the 4th gen fighters. Every F35 lost is a huge reduction in the QEs capability to sustain the fight. It’s the same principle the navy have followed with hull numbers now with the air wing. It’s like a fleet in being concept. It’s designed to exist and kind of defend itself. But to what end?
I think you will find if needed the RN/RAF could generate up to around 20 F35b at present onto the carrier if the ballon went up…207 squadron could generate around 8 aircraft and 617 squadron around 12..that would equate to essentially the most powerful fifth generation air wing of any carrier on the sea,,, the US carriers only carry one squadron of 12 f35 at present.the rest F18#.and the F35 is an incomparably more deadly asset than an F18….20 F35s could essentially tear a hole through most nations air defences and airforces… need I remind you the F35 keeps generating… Read more »
Thanks for reiterating the point so many forget, CVF concept is about a flexible Forward Operating Base able to operate much of the army, navy and air forces helicopters and aircraft with little to no need for additional training. CVN is a totally different concept, it’s an extremely expensive capability to maintain and run and with F18 on the deck it’s an increasingly irrelevant concept in a major conflict. It’s great for gun boat diplomacy and arm twisting of second and third rate powers. The USN is putting a lot of faith in the NGAD program primarily because much of… Read more »
Hi Jim Yes that ability to change and modify the air wing and purpose on the fly so to speak of with little time is what is fundamentally different than anything else.. western F35b carriers are probably the thing along with western SSNs that will allow the west to maintain its global navel dominance. we are going to see a lot of Western F35 carrier navies:, UK, US, Italy, Japan, almost undeniably Spain will go for F35b Australia is an outside option but I think in the end they will want F35b carriers meaning there will be more F35b carriers… Read more »
Good points, it’s also worth noting that carriers capable of operating in a STOVL configuration can be built quickly. Even civilian vessels could be rapidly used such as with RFA Argus. CVN take 5 years to build and only one shipyard can build them. In a real shooting war this yard would be quickly taken out of action. Meanwhile America can build over 100 F35B a year if it chooses to.
This is how you would stay in a modern industrial war and maintain naval aviation.
I wonder if there’s an option to incorporate a ski ramp somewhere on these US carriers? Probably at the expense of one emals. Make them a hybrid.
“Basically you can run three Elizabeth’s for the capital and crew costs of one G R Ford….now what would you want in a major conflict three Elizabeth’s or one Ford…. ( if you had one Ford equivalent carrier group against a Carrier group with three Elizabeth class carriers it would be no contest)” This is an overly simplistic argument to make as carriers, including their airwings don’t fight alone(Think escorts, submarines, AEW, space assets, tracking and targeting, quality and quantity of offensive and defensive weapons). The US navy carriers in particular don’t fight alone and in all likelihood would severely… Read more »
i was not talking about the other elements of the battle group I was talking about the actual point of the battle group in the first place and that’s the carrier force….and I was talking about a like for like group..so the equivalent escorts, equivalent enablers and submarine forces….would it be better for that carrier battle group to have one Ford or 3 Elizabeth class type ships….basically what what the most cost effective way forward and the fords are looking to be the least cost effective carriers ever moving forward…. So if a U.S. carrier group was equipped with three… Read more »
While the point of whether smaller carriers are the way forward is a legitimate debate to be had, the US and UK carrier groups are not constructed the same and therefore the scenario you are describing would not make for a true apples to apples comparison.
The point I was making was which would be more survivable and more powerful in the future….the 3 Elizabeth type carriers would provide vastly more sorties than one US CATBAR carrier..as well as be more survivable…where one hit could mission kill the US carrier and stop flying opps, it would not stop flying ops for 3 Elizabeth type carriers…reduce by a 1/3rd but not stop..in fact you you have to mission kill all three ships….which is three time the effort. The Ford is just to expensive and to manpower costly for what it provides and it’s only the US vast… Read more »
Again, I think you make very simplistic assumptions without any realistic context. If your argument is a Ford CSG sailing with only minimal escorts as a QE group then sure. But we know that’s simply wouldn’t be the case in combat. Whether we’re talking numbers or capabilities. You can make the argument that a number of high profile US programs have been wasteful and I wouldn’t deny that but that word again…context. The reason programs like the F22, B2, Seawolf are so expensive is because the enemy they were designed for disappeared and so the numbers were cut which ballooned… Read more »
That’s a really interesting point,that even though QE class was optimised for sortie generation, it remains something different from a classic strike carrier, with different strengths and weaknesses.
Bravo. Well explained to the uninformed, who are many it seems.
As Robert has said here many times, in war, the gloves come off and things happen.
Tens of thousands ( if not more) of pro Hamas terrorist supporters are planning a march/ protest on remberance Sunday, through the streets of London & by the cenotaph, if we allow this to happen then this country is over.
That is called free speech. If you don’t let people peacefully protest the violence will follow.
In the last month there has been a big spike in anti-jew violence and a smaller spike in anti-Muslim violence. The government needs to do more to protect UK residents.
Even on this blog, which recently carried posts recomending that VX nerve gas be supplied to HAMAS and used to kill jews. Until someone who was outraged complained, then they were moderated
That’s the thing now Richard theirs that many different foreign nationals over here if it were to kick off the police would be very hard push to control the situation .And it’s not like we have Troop numbers to help out if things really got out of hand .Oh that’s not me be Racist just me stating a fact. 👍
Agreed 👍
That’s the most racists comment I have read on here,
My wife’s Chinese, you think she going gang up with the Canadians and the jihadis and take over the country when it kicks off.
“That’s the most racist comment I have read on here” ….. You must be new here ! Seriously though, all this religion and ethnic division really doesn’t help the human race to live in harmony.
No I am not racists at all ,my post was meaning possibly trouble with different religious group’s .So don’t be quick to Jump and God’s chill out 🍺🇨🇳
Exactly.
Many London Barracks have been sold off, or taken off MoD by their land-lords.
Our wonderful system of patronage and monarchy means prize strategic pieces of land like the Duke of Yorks have become places for the rich and, denuded HMG from having enough local surge capability to defend the ultra rich.
Earl Cadogan must be happy in his grave that Gerald – who played in the Cadogan Boardroom with Charles – has laid ground for an assault on the super rich a.k.a. Charles.
Do you love the irony?
Agree we have to be very careful around the freedom to protest and freedom of speech, vs the rampant antisemitism we are seeing….as well as the support for Hamas…anyone who protested using something like the slogan “from the river to the sea” is supporting antisemitism and the destruction of the Jewish state…but someone saying “I thing there should be an end to the violence or feeling that the Israel response is two strong and random”…that is a reasonable view to take…..it’s not really understanding the geostrategic position of Israel, the geopolitics and what Hamas are, but it’s a view that… Read more »
There is a time and a place for ‘peaceful protest’ and that date and place is neither.
People seem to expect -nay demand-accomodation of their opinions and consideration of their sensitivities but then seem to belive they do not have to respect the same in regards to others.
They should provide the same respect they demand- or they will merely create division and confrontation.
This particular protest should not be allowed to go ahead- in fact it shouldn’t even need to be banned…but it will.
I can’t think of a better time or place to call for peace or a ceasefire than at our memorial to the best of two generations being thrown away into the dirt. My issue is that the reason for the protest has sod all to do with this country and our current guests should keep their opinions on it off our streets. The Jews and Muslims should remember where they are and that they remain here only so long as we British choose to suffer them.
So you think Jews and Muslims can’t be British? Being born here or holding a British passport doesn’t count as being “we British” for you? Remembering the 5th of November, do you also have a downer on Catholics? Any other minority groups you are “suffering” to live here that you want to warn us against?
That’s correct Jon. If your loyalties are split or elsewhere, be that Mecca, Jerusalem or Rome, you cannot be truly British. We should not permit dual nationality. If you are not of one of the Anglo-Celtic nations by birth, you are not British whatever scraps of paper you cling to. I’m a nationalist and not ashamed of it so you won’t get any clout from trying that line with me.
But there will always be the stupid bell ends who break away from the normal organised demo and cause outrage, to the delight of the press!!!!! It will happen on the 11th pretty much guaranteed, as there are many in the Pro whatever groups think they have the right to disrupt others.
There needed bother 🚔
People are allowed to protest in this country…there is a great deal of difference between a persons right to protest over how Israel’s government is prosecuting the war and ask for peace and openly supporting Hamas..one is legal in this country and very important for our freedom of speech the other is actually illegal as supporting and promoting prescribed terror organisations is against terror laws…our personal issues and if we are upset over what people are protesting and when is irrelevant when compared to our right to protest and freedom of speech…
We’ve just had some very large pro-Palestinian rallies here in Sydney too that went off quite peacefully. Good opportunity for police/media to do surveillance too, especially if any agitators in the crowds. Absolutely amazed at the numbers that came out of the woodwork. Not sure that the Hamas/Hezbollah groups will allow the ordinary Palestinians to have their own voice. They seem very intertwined. Hope the police control that one. Why did they okay if for the same day as Remembrance Day? Maybe trying to steal some or all of the media limelight and even devalue the occasion?
Hi mate, you ask ‘ why did they allow it for the same day as Remberance Sunday’, well as others have stated on here everyone has the right to protest so I’m fairly sure the UK authorities couldn’t legally stop them, as far as I’m concerned the reason they chose that particular day was to be as provocative as possible, basically saying that they don’t respect our fallen military personnel, they don’t respect Britain/ British values, let’s face it, most of those who will be on the march/protest don’t see themselves as ‘British’, and for what it’s worth neither do… Read more »
Not sure how things work in the UK but here in Sydney our NSW state premier in consultation with the police have the powers to ban such marches on civil disturbance grounds. Organisers of any marches need to get permission to go ahead. Hard call, to allow/disallow both/all sides to have their marches, but if they’re the authority they need to show some good sense and leadership on this. I don’t like the shouters and ravers thinking that they are above the law and everyone else and start vandalising public spaces and properties and threatening others with violence.
Less serious, if you want to feel “British” , “English” or” whatever”… maybe come to Australia!! Lol. 😆. I still feel like a Pom after nearly 50 years in Aus, and when I go back to the UK I feel like an “Aussie”. It’s weird, something residual from both countries is still there. The groups of people you spend your time with and the cultural mix and goings on you live in everyday will hopefully give you something to identify with. 🇬🇧 society still has some decent core values and democratic freedoms for all at its heart and in law… Read more »
Well said, and spot on.
You are really kicking out the disinformation today. They are protesting every Saturday, they did not and have not picked Remembrance Sunday to insult our country.
No I am not, a quick Google search will confirm that there is a pro Palestine/ Hama march planned for Remberance Sunday, fact.
Then post link. 🤷♂️
And not some provocative, lying GBeebies nonce.
“ DeeBee
1 day ago
Tens of thousands ( if not more) of pro Hamas terrorist supporters are planning a march/ protest on remberance Sunday, through the streets of London & by the cenotaph, if we allow this to happen then this country is over.”
Come on Rabbi, you show me where the proscribed terror group put out a statement that they will be marching on Sunday during the memorial service.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/met-police-mark-rowley-remembrance-weekend-gaza-protests-israel-b1117886.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/03/rishi-sunak-calls-armistice-day-pro-palestinian-protests-disrespectful
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-sunak-warns-pro-palestinian-protests-armistice-day-provocative-2023-11-03/
You watching the news about the planned marches on remberance Sunday?? Cat got your tounge??
Source please.
Watch the news👍
Post link. You said a pro Hamas group are going to march through the remembrance parade. Prove it. Also lol at not posting on your Shabbas Moshe.
BBC news, sky news, GB news, your refusal to accept the truth is hilarious!!
Just post a link to a report of or statement that a pro Hamas group is going to protest during the remembrance parade. It shouldn’t be hard since you insist it exists in several places. I’m busy with F1 and football.
Just put any news channel on, it will take you a few minutes 👍
So you’ve got nothing? Cheers.
So you won’t watch the news which confirms that there is a march planned on remberance Sunday by pro Palestine/ Hamas supporters, deluded clown!
Why aren’t you calling MI5? You have seemingly incontrovertible evidence that a proscribed terror group are going to March in our capital. I’m not watching through a cycle of bullshit in the middle of the F1 only to find that Hamas are in fact doing no such thing.
This movement of two carriers into the levant may become very important after today…the speech by the leader of Hezbollah today is very important…if he declares war on Israel ( which I think is a 50/50) then we will see a regional war in which isreal will likely need support…Hezbollah is essentially Lebanon and has a very large armed force ( we are talking 100,000+ fighters, more artillery than the British army, 250,000 rockets, possibly up to 100 ballistic missiles, tanks etc)….this will mean the IDF is spreed over a number of missions… 1) fighting the 25,000 to 50,000 Hamas… Read more »
Blimey ! 🙄
Speech was interesting no immediate declaration of war..but no call for de-escalation with a call for all groups and nations to support Hamas to win…as Hamas winning means the destruction of Israel he has essentially called for wider support for this across the Arab world…basically a call for the populations of the moderate Arab states to force their governments into action….not ruled out all out war ( so I suspect that’s coming) encouraged continued attack against US forces in the Middle East… Tried to claim Iran was not involved although Iran supports the actions and the war with Israel… We… Read more »
Portrait of a reasonably dire scenario, but one must remember that the Israelis hold all the highest trump cards. Believe that the Jews have a different operating philosophy post-Holocaust. Hard earned lesson that passivity did not work particularly well vs. the Nazis; the best defence/defense is a good offense. In a no-holds-barred conflict, convinced Israelis would not hesitate to pour ‘buckets of sunshine’ on Hezbollah, the Syrians and the Iranians. The only power that would conceivably respond, may be deterred by the prospect of Israeli F-35s w/ drop tanks and laden w/ nukes visiting mother Russia. 🤔
What are you saying there Barry, I would be very very careful. im not sure specifically what you mean which is why I will let it go..but to say Isreal should not exist is to break the laws on antisemitism in the UK.
My given name is David.
A thorn or a splinter both need pulling.
There are Sunn, Shia, Christian, Druze and Jews.
Every new born has the right to life. And everyone irrespective of proclaimed religion should not deny it.
Who is suffering now because people were given tourist visas stamped ‘we’re behind you if you cause shoite.’
And who couldn’t just let things rest?
It’s interesting that the most persecuted minority of WW2 were the Roma; they lost far more than many people. Any update?
Again I’m not sure what you are getting at. I think everyone agrees it horrible..but are you denying there should be a two state solution are you saying that Israel should be removed ? If you are taking about that you need to think about what that would mean for peace and right to life..as the charters/covenants of both Hamas and Hezbollah have nothing to do with peace…infact they reject peace other than the peace of an Islamic overlordship…if Israel was to fall to these groups, who quote the death of Jews as a requirement of Islam in their charters… Read more »
Well said, that man!
Meanwhile….. HMS Queen Elizabeth is being turned around in Portsmouth this very moment….. Heading for “Warmer Waters” my guess, Diamond and Kent in support. Live cam view from HMS Warrior if anyone’s interested.
The other carrier group capable nations in the Mediterranean area should deploy their own i.e the Italians and Spanish. Both could lend support for the u.s carrier group and show that the Americans don’t have to do it by themselves
Hi Andy, there are currently two US CSGs in the Med. They have also pre positioned many other aircraft including fighters closer to the region, obviously expecting the worst perhaps. Unless things spiral out of control and it brings the more moderate Arab nations into action, then the US has probably got enough fixed wing assets in situ. It’s not as if they are going to be required for much A to A combat, more of a deterrent/strike role In would assume.
If Hezbollah decides to do so, they are quite capable of destroying the carriers and all the other ships in the eastern Med. They have a great many hypersonic missiles. All serious military analysts say that the carriers are not defendable from a large hypersonic missile attack.
A ceasefire in Gaza is essential both to stop the killing there and to keep WW3 at bay.
While Hezbollah possess Misiles capable of hitting Warships they are not of the Hypersonic variety i can tell you – The C-802 is more in the Exocet/Harpoon class.
My reading is that the temperature is falling. Blinken is on his 4th visit to Israel and ( notwithstanding the obligatory Israel has the right indeed the obligation to defend itself rhetoric) is pushing for humanitarian aid for Gaza; the recent speech by Nassan Nasralla fell short of inciting Hezbolla to start an offensive on Israel’s northern border – indeed at one point he pleaded with the US in not so many words to influence Israel; just to make sure a second US carrier group is on its way; Netanyahu said yesterday there will be no cease fire until the… Read more »
T45+T23/TLAMxCSG/square root of 16,412= 3.
How many of you looked up the square root of 16,412? Come on… fess up 😂
HMS Queen Elizabeth’s unexpected arrival at HMNB Portsmouth very late Sunday 29/10 has analysts puzzled. Just a logistics stop as officially claimed? Or essential defect rectifications (lifts?) that could only be done in Portsmouth? Or urgent preparations for deployment to the eastern Med? She sailed from Portsmouth Friday afternoon (3/11) and her AIS track (NE or SW) will be followed with interest over the next 24 hours.
If media speculation is to be believed then defect rectification of her lifts was the issue, not sure why divers were needed?
By all accounts she is heading back up the North sea to resume CSG 23 ops.
The dive was probably just a routine security check. They seem to do these at least once a week when the carriers are in port. Arguably they don’t always have to actually do all the serials, just publicly advertising them may be a sufficient deterrent for the bad guys!
Her twitter feed certainly indicates she’s heading back to the North Sea. But looking at AIS, she seems to currently be anchored in the Solent, just 3-4 nm from Portsmouth naval base. Perhaps waiting for the government to make a final decision on whether to divert her to the Med?
Yes certainly agree that the diving ops could/are purely routine, perhaps an opportunity to just check something whilst alongside for other things.
Would treat AIS with a bit of caution. Last week it had her heading into the STROG when she was in fact heading down the channel to Pompey!
But yes, she has been known to anchor off the Solent on occasion, waiting for whatever…..
Pentagon acknowledges flying unarmed drones over Gaza https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67317218
The BBC news website finishes off its coverage with an update on the carrier deployment…..by describing them as “battleships”! 🙈
Just what are they going to do.??
They cannot strike Israel and start WW3.