-Caveat Lector- Coincidence? Note the date of the article. Samantha http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1522000/1522987.stm Monday, 3 September, 2001, 15:42 GMT 16:42 UK Carrier heads for the Middle East Operation Saif Sareea 2 will cost nearly £100m The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has sailed from Portsmouth to lead the biggest Royal Navy and Royal Marine deployment since the Falklands. HMS Illustrious is the flagship of three groups of warships travelling to the Middle East to take part in exercise "Saif Sareea 2". More than 24 surface ships from Britain, plus two nuclear submarines, will be completing the 13,000 mile round trip. The operation, costing nearly £100m, will end with a major excercise before Christmas that will also involve the Army, Royal Air Force and Armed Forces of Oman. The cost has been put at nearly £100m The strike force has been put together to take part in a conflict between the fictional forces of the so-called state of 'Alawham' and those of Oman. British military planners want to see if they can muster the kind of rapid reaction force outlined in the defence review which took place in 1998. Rear Admiral James Burnell-Nugent CBE, Commander of the UK Maritime Forces, is heading the group. He said: "This is a significant display of maritime power, we are sending 8,500 sailors, airmen, and Royal Marines to the Gulf Region. "In total the Argonaut task group consists of 40 separate commands, brought together into an integrated, self-sustaining joint fighting force." The deployment will include the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the assault ship HMS Fearless, destroyers, frigates and mine countermeasures vessels. Maritime power Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships will also be taking part in the exercise. Royal Marines from 3 Commando Brigade will be involved in amphibious landings on the coast of Oman. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Rear Admiral Burnell-Nugent said: "One of the advantages that a naval task group brings is that it carries all of its logistics with it, a full range of capabilities from cruise missiles to laser-guided bombs to Royal Marine Commandos." He said he was aware that his forces, which include 23,000 British military personnel from all three services, could be redeployed at any moment. "I'm not aware of any plans to do so, but there's a capability there which the government can draw on," he said. More from Southampton Internet links: Royal Navy Minsitry of Defence The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top UK stories now: UK arrests over US terror attacks EU leaders back US retaliation UK airlines 'will continue flying' NI Assembly suspension criticised Biggs back in hospital Gang hunted over teen murder Stars in global charity telethon London shares claw back at close Links to more UK stories are at the foot of the page. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
