Navy Sends Four Ships to Persian Gulf as Part of Routine Rotation of Force
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WASHINGTON — The Pentagon, after suspending deployment of a guided-missile cruiser to the Persian Gulf last week, allowed four other warships to sail Tuesday as scheduled for routine rotations in the troubled waterway.
The Navy identified the ships as the frigates Aubrey Fitch and Doyle from Mayport, Fla.; the frigate Taylor from Charleston, S.C., and the cruiser Josephus Daniels from Norfolk, Va.
Pentagon spokesman Dan Howard noted: “Our guideline throughout will be as stated by the secretary (of defense, Frank C. Carlucci)--that we will maintain forces there consistent with the perceived threat. It’s very early days yet.” The cease-fire is scheduled to take effect Saturday.
Defense sources said the Pentagon canceled the scheduled deployment of the Mobile Bay last week because that ship is one of the most sophisticated warships afloat.
“That’s a lot of ship to send around the world if the cease-fire is going to take hold,” said one official.
The Navy has 27 warships in the gulf and the Arabian Sea.
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