On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:44:31 -0600, F. George McDuffee
wrote:

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:59:43 -0800, Gunner
wrote:

How wide is the Straits of Hormuz again?
At its narrowest point 50km, or about 30 miles.
see http://i-cias.com/e.o/hormuz.htm

"The strait of Hormuz is about the same (or greater) width as the
Channel between England & France, or the strait at Gibraltar into
the Mediterranean Sea."
see
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...null&offset=12

also see
http://www.pcplanets.com/videoyoutub...CX5RliWI.shtml

Does anyone know how the shipping channels/lanes run, and who is
responsible for maintenance? Quick google indicates "The strait
itself is barely 21 miles (34km) wide. At its narrowest, the
Strait consists of two 1-mile (1.5km)-wide channels for inbound
and outbound tanker traffic, as well as a 2-mile (3km)-wide
buffer zone." at
http://www.defense-update.com/newsca...sis-120407.htm

Note that the straits appear to be rapidly shrinking as the width
shrank about 50km/30 miles to 34km/21 miles in just a few weeks
according to the articles. Remarkable what global warming and a
rising sea level can do....

USS Cole......
USS Vincennes click on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655


Ayup..further proof of what happens when some Iranian nutjob decides
to play chicken with Uncle Sam. Attack profile, multiple warnings.

So sorry. Next time, dont act like an attacking aircraft, no matter
which mad Islamic Fundi imam told you to do so.

And dont act like attacking vessels, in an age when man portable
weapons can come close to sinking a US vessel.

Im rather impressed at the restraint shown by our skippers. A quck
programming and 4 seconds max from a Phalanx battery and there would
have been nothing but an oil slick and spreading blood stain in the
water, remains of all the speed boats.

Sooner or later..when you taunt, and shoot pebbles at the tigers with
a sling shot, they are going to come over the fence and rip off your
face.


Gunner