Posted: 11/26/2007 7:10:04 PM EDT
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This could be a prep by the MSC for action in the Gulf, either War Games or the real deal. uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL2231306820071123?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 FYI. |
Or it could be building up stocks that may have been allowed to deplete over the years. Without historical information it does not paint a complete picture. |
| I think the duration of this build up of activity would be telling. The US Navy has its own fleet of auxiliaries whether they be Navy, MSC, or MarAd and wouldn't need to rent additional tankers. Also, civilian tankers are not set up for UnRep. If there are civilian tankers going somewhere, the oil will be pumped ashore. Auxiliaries are refueled at the dock or at anchor from a barge even in foreign countries. The MSC and MarAd ships I worked on fueled nearly anywhere. I've even taken fuel at that one fuel dock in Aden. Civilian tankers cannot support Naval activity, the fuel is for land operations. |
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Maybe it has something to do with Japans withdrawal (due to deadline not politics) from the Indian Ocean providing support in this type of role? Maybe to compensate they are shifting things around? Maybe not. Maybe a bit of both? Just a thought. I don't know nothin about nothin. |