Royal Navy: US warship joining HMS Queen Elizabeth to 'defend North Atlantic' amid Ru

[Boats]

Royal Navy: US warship joining HMS Queen Elizabeth to 'defend North Atlantic' amid Russia tensions
By: Max. Channon - Plymouth Herald News - UK - 04-20-21
Re: https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/new...ng-hms-5319258

It follows reports two Royal Navy ships would leave the Carrier Strike Group and head to the Black Sea

Photo link: https://i2-prod.hulldailymail.co.uk/...-Assembles.jpg

A US warship is joining the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group "'to ensure truly effective deterrence and defence in the North Atlantic" amid escalating tensions with Russia.

It comes as the US ambassador in Moscow heads back to America for "consultations" about "the current state of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia".

The US Navy Press Office said Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) had departed from Mayport yesterday "in Support of British Carrier Task Group 21". The warship previously linked up with the UK's flagship in October 2020.

The latest link-up comes after reports that a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer and Type 23 frigate will leave the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group and sail for the Black Sea, as tensions continue to rise between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

The UK and other G7 nations had previuosly demanded that Russia 'ends provocations and de-escalates tensions' in Ukraine - and US President Joe Biden expelled 10 Russian diplomats and announced a raft of new sanctions in retaliation for alleged hacking and election interference.

Russia then announced it was closing a strait in the Black Sea to foreign warships, including the Royal Navy, for the next six months.

It had previously warned America - as two US destroyers headed towards the area - to stay away from the region “for their own good,” reported The Mirror.

And Reuters reported that the United States had cancelled the deployment of the two warships to the Black Sea, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Note: The Times then reported that "one Type 45 destroyer armed with anti-aircraft missiles and an anti-submarine Type 23 frigate will peel off from the Royal Navy’s carrier task group in the Mediterranean and head through the Bosphorus into the Black Sea, according to senior naval sources".

Now the US says that "the inclusion of US. forces" in the UK's Carrier Strike Group "will improve expeditionary capabilities and interoperability between NATO allies, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to the NATO alliance".

The Royal Navy's Commodore Tom Guy, deputy director of Combined Joint Operations from the SeaCentre of Excellence, said: "To ensure truly effective deterrence and defence in the North Atlantic, we need to make sure that the navies of NATO can work as one team, and that means interoperability is vital.

"This NATO vignette has been a great step forward in pursuing allied interoperability. CJOS COE looks forward to continuing to develop this for future deploying Strike Groups.”

US Navy Commander, David Burkett, commanding officer of The Sullivans, said: "It is an honour to sail in this elite multi-national strike group on the frontline demonstrating a fully integrated force that showcases the special relationship that our countries have.

"USS The Sullivans' namesakes would be extremely proud of us as we boldly show that, We Stick Together!”

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said in a statement that he is returning to the United States this week to discuss US-Russian ties with members of President Joe Biden’s administration.

He emphasised that he would come back to Moscow within weeks.


“I believe it is important for me to speak directly with my new colleagues in the Biden administration in Washington about the current state of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia,” Mr Sullivan said in a statement issued by the embassy.

“Also, I have not seen my family in well over a year, and that is another important reason for me to return home for a visit.”

Mr Sullivan’s departure comes after Russia on Friday stopped short of asking him to leave the country, but said it “suggested” that he follows the example of the Russian ambassador to Washington, who was recalled for consultations last month after Mr Biden’s description of President Vladimir Putin as a “killer”.

Russia has set no time frame for Anatoly Antonov’s return to Washington.

On Thursday, the Biden administration announced sanctions on Russia for interfering in the 2020 US presidential election and involvement in the SolarWind hack of federal agencies – activities Moscow has denied.

The US ordered 10 Russian diplomats expelled, targeted dozens of companies and people and imposed new curbs on Russia’s ability to borrow money.

Russia denounced the US move as “absolutely unfriendly and unprovoked” and retaliated by ordering 10 US diplomats to leave, blacklisting eight current and former US officials and tightening requirements for the US embassy operations.

While ordering the sanctions, Mr Biden also called for de-escalating tensions and held the door open for co-operation with Russia in certain areas. Russia said it was studying the offer.

“I will return to Moscow in the coming weeks before any meeting between Presidents Biden and Putin,” Mr Sullivan said in Tuesday’s statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personal note: The aggressor's only want the minerals and a firewall between them and other aggressors. The same goes for China - they never have enough of anything since they've all but exhausted their minerals in their lands. It's the Have's and the Have Not's in these battles. China want's the oil and minerals as bad as Russia. Why pay for it when you can take it away from others. Also known as the spoils of war! These fights aren't about the people rather its their minerals! So why buy it - when you can just take it!
Hence world wide conflicts!
-
Boats