U.S. Order of Battle for War on Iraq

Developments

On Jan. 10, 2003, 7,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune were ordered to deploy to the Persian Gulf. The Marines will be part of a Carolina Marine Air-Ground Task Force that will include infantry, tanks, amphibious vehicles, supply specialists and aircraft.

Two Virginia-based ships capable of carrying more than 2,600 Marines also received deployment orders Jan. 10. The amphibious dock ship USS Ponce and the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan embarked from Northfolk Naval base for the Gulf.
Command

The U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters is in Bahrain.

The 3rd Army HQ moved to Kuwait beginning in December.

Six hundred planners from Central Command (CENTCOM) HQ in Tampa, Fla., were sent to Qatar to evaluate the possibility of establishing a headquarters there in a crisis -- possibly the first stages of a relocation of CENTCOM HQ to al Udeid air base in Qatar.

The United States began moving communications and computer equipment from Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Air Base to Qatar in March 2002.

In August, the Pentagon floated the idea of giving Special Operations Command (SOCOM) more autonomy from regional commanders. Some SOCOM units reportedly were seconded to the CIA for operations in western Iraq.

Regional U.S. commanders met in Kuwait Sept. 19-20.
Since Dec. 25, 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush has issued various orders in preparation for a possible war with Iraq.
The Navy was ordered to select and prepare two carrier battle groups and two amphibious assault groups to go to the region. Navy officials said the carrier groups will be the USS George Washington and either the USS Abraham Lincoln or the USS Kitty Hawk. Carrier battle groups have about 7,500 sailors; amphibious groups carry about 2,200 Marines.
The USS Comfort, a 1,000-bed floating hospital, was scheduled to leave port at Baltimore for Diego Garcia in early January 2003. It initially was to carry 61 civilian mariners and 225 Navy personnel.
Units from five Air Force combat wings were ordered to prepare for deployment. Included were F-15 fighters from Langley Air Force Base, Va.; F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.; B-1B Bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.; rescue helicopters and Predator drones from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; and C-130 cargo planes as well as possibly more rescue helicopters from Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
The army was expected to deploy the 1st Armored Division as well as the 1st Infantry Division, both based in Germany.
The Marine Corps was expected to send the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, Calif. The MEU's headquarters unit earlier was moved to Kuwait.
Sen. Patty Murray (D- Wash.) has said the Coast Guard unit based in Tacoma, Wash., which operates six small patrol boats, has been deployed to the Persian Gulf.
The number of U.S. personnel in the region likely will reach 100,000 by mid- to late January, roughly double the number present in mid-December 2002.
Logistics

The maritime administration reportedly is checking the readiness of transport fleet.

The U.S. military has reserved 20 air corridors over the Azores islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

Quartering troops reportedly are among those currently in Kuwait, laying the groundwork for additional deployments.

Reports say U.S. engineers are inspecting and possibly upgrading air bases in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Several shiploads of equipment have been sent to the region over the past few months, with more chartered for departure at the end of September. Reports have emerged that equipment for one or two brigades is en route.

Qatar residents report a sudden increase in U.S. transport flights into al Udeid and huge food purchases by the U.S. military.

U.S. troops continue to occupy air bases in Romania (including Constanta) and Bulgaria (including near Burgas) that were used as logistics centers for the war on Afghanistan, and they will be available for a war on Iraq.

British forces have commenced Operation Log Viper, a test of logistical movement involving 6,000 troops who will use 1,000 vehicles to move thousands of tons of supplies over the next month to Suffolk Royal Air Force base and Marchwood military port.
Preliminary Operations

The air war in essence has begun already, following a shift in targeting doctrine for aircraft in no-fly zones. Now hardened air-defense command centers can be targeted. This marks the first phase in the campaign to suppress enemy air defenses.

The Air Force reportedly is bolstering the number of aircraft in the region. No firm numbers are available.

Special Operations troops have denied reports they are operating in western and northern Iraq, scouting SCUD sites and preparing the opposition for war. U.S. military commanders claim that there are no military forces currently operating in southern or western Iraq, but they have not commented on alleged CIA operations there. They admit to contacts between U.S. representatives and Kurds in northern Iraq.

Deployment of Patriot missile batteries to Turkey and Qatar is reportedly under consideration.

Training and Readiness

In early March, 9,000 V Corps troops took part in an Iraq war simulation in Germany called Urgent Victory '02.

More than 2,000 soldiers from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are being sent to Kuwait for a month-long amphibious exercise called Eager Mace '02.

The U.S. military has resumed inoculating some troops for anthrax.

The Pentagon has asked the United Kingdom for permission to base B-2 bombers at the naval base in Diego Garcia, though it will take time to construct the necessary specially equipped, climate-controlled hangars.

Units of the 101st Airborne Division reportedly are being withdrawn from Afghanistan, rendering them available for an Iraq conflict.

One thousand British troops were scheduled to conduct joint exercise Black Horse in the Mojave Desert with U.S. Marines

British paratroopers reportedly have completed training in full chemical gear.

As of the end of May, the 22nd MEU had completed the 10-day exercise Infinite Anvil in Jordan. The exercise included the movement of an AV-8B Harrier detachment and the MEU's aviation element from the USS Wasp to King Faisal Royal Jordanian Air Force Base.
Current Basing

Since 1991, about 20,000 troops, equipment for four armored brigades and Patriot missile batteries have been deployed in the region.

Turkey

Approximately 1,700 troops, mostly Air Force.

There are reported plans to deploy Patriot missiles there.

U.S. and U.K. Special Operations forces reportedly are operating from a base near Incirlik, mounting incursions into northern Iraq.

About 60 aircraft currently are tasked with patrolling the northern no-fly zone, including:

Six F-15Cs

Six F-15Es

18 F-16Cs

Six Jaguars (U.K. RAF)

Three MC-130s

12 KC-135s

Three HH-60Gs

Three UH-60s

Three E-3As

Two EA-6Bs
More than 4,000 troops
39th Wing stationed at Incirlik Air Base
Parts of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Wing from Langley Air Force Base, Va., were deployed in Turkey as of late December 2002, as was the 78th Fighter Squadron from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
Jordan

The U.S. military staged a series of exercises in Jordan, including practices on deploying aircraft and troops, from late August to early September 2002. Four thousand troops took part.
The United States reportedly sought access -- which Amman resisted -- to Jordanian bases for use in launching anything from special operations against SCUD launchers in western Iraq to major invasion thrusts.
The United States has moved B-1 bombers from Diego Garcia temporarily to Amman, Jordan, to make room for B-2 bombers on Diego Garcia. The final destination for the B-1s is not known.
1,400 Special Operations troops took part in Exercise Early Victor .02, which began Oct. 6, 2002, with troops from Jordan, Oman, Kuwait and Britain.
Kuwait

9,000 troops, mostly Army and Air Force.

Approximately 80 aircraft, currently tasked with patrolling the southern no-fly zone, including:

18 F-15Cs

10 F-15Es

Eight F-16Cs

12 F/A-18s

12 A-10s

Six Tornado GR4s (U.K. RAF)

Two HC-130Ps

Eight C-130s

Two HH-60Gs

Seven E-3 AWACS

Pre-positioned equipment for a heavy armored brigade.

The 3rd Army HQ.

The Army Forces Central Command-Kuwait (ARCENT-Kuwait) HQ

Army quartering units reportedly are among those currently deployed to Kuwait -- their mission is to prepare for further deployments

Two Patriot missile batteries.

A 4,000-soldier brigade from Ft. Stewart, Ga., was deployed to Kuwait in autumn 2002 with M-1A1s and Bradley AFVs. It was scheduled to replace a brigade from Ft. Benning, Ga., by December.

Two brigades reportedly are training near the Iraqi border.

More than 2,000 Marines of the 11th MEU launched the month-long amphibious exercise Eager Mace '02 in late September.

The Marines reportedly deployed a 35-man Chemical and Biological Incident Response Force to Kuwait in September.

Officials planning for a U.K. deployment to Kuwait have proposed two armored divisions and one infantry division. U.K. 4th and 7th armored brigades reportedly are on unofficial alert for deployment.

German and Czech chemical units are in Kuwait, but Germany has declared it will withdraw its troops in the event of an attack on Iraq.
More than 10,000 troops
Headquarters of the Army's 5th Corps from Heidelberg, Germany, and the Marines' 1st Expeditionary Force from Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Three aviation battalions, each with at least 25 helicopters, were deployed or were en route as of late December 2002: 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment Task Force; 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment; and 7th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment.
Advance party from British 1st Armored Division
U.S. Air Force 332nd Aerospace Expeditionary Group located at Ahmed al-Jabar Air Base
Personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 reportedly have been deployed to help with construction at two air bases.
Saudi Arabia

More than 6,000 troops, mostly Air Force.

Two Patriot missile batteries.

An air operations center at Prince Sultan

Approximately 72 aircraft, including:

18 F-15s

18 F-16s

Six E-3 AWACs

Two E-8 JSTARS

Four RC-135s

12 KC-135s

Two U-2s

Six UH-60s (MEDEVAC)

Four Tornado F3s (U.K. RAF)
363rd Air Expeditionary Wing is located at Prince Sultan Air Base. The wing includes F-16s from the Montana Air National Guard and the 184th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron of the Arkansas Air National Guard.
Bahrain

4,200 troops.

Location of the U.S. 5th Fleet HQ.

Site of an Air Force Pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel depot.
Task Force 53 stationed in Manama
Diego Garcia:

Four special hangars were completed in late 2002 to house two B-2 bombers each. B-2s have been transported to the island, though the total number of bombers present is unknown.
B-52 bombers
Supplies and refueling planes reportedly are on the island

Qatar

Approximately 3,300 troops, mostly Army.

12 aircraft, including:

Four KC-10s

Six KC-135s

Two E-8 JSTARS

It has the longest runway in the Middle East, with new, low-observable hangars.

A new air operations center at al Udeid was constructed to serve as an alternative to the command center at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

Pre-positioned equipment for a division base and an armored brigade.

Camp As Sayliyah is the Army's newest pre-positioning facility, and the largest single pre-positioning site for the Army in the world.

Site of an Air Force Pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel depot.

A 750,000-barrel petroleum storage facility is scheduled to be in place at Umm Sa'id, with 650,000 barrels of JP-8 storage and 100,000 barrels of JP-5 storage.

Headquarters of the Army Forces Central Command-Qatar (ARCENT-Qatar)

Six hundred planners from CENTCOM are en route to evaluate whether a crisis command center can be established.

Reported plans to deploy Patriot missiles.
Roughly 4,000 troops, mostly army
379th Air Expeditionary Wing is located at al-Udeid
United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Approximately 600 troops, mostly Air Force.

Seven aircraft, including:

Two U-2s

One RQ-4

Four KC-10s
380th Air Expeditionary Wing, based in al-Dhafra, consists of three reconnaissance squadrons: 12th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, with Global Hawk reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles; 99th Air Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron; 763rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, with KC-135s providing air-to-air refueling support.
Oman

2,400 troops, mostly Air Force.

About 24 aircraft, including:

Tankers, AWACs and bombers which were relocated from Diego Garcia to bases in Oman in mid-January, in order to be closer to the theater of operations.

Hosts regular P-3 operations.

Three Air Force Pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel sites at Masirah, Seeb and Thumrait, with support equipment for 26,000 personnel as well as equipment and fuel to maintain three air bases.
A new air base with a 14,000-foot runway is under construction at Musnanah. Construction began in summer 2002 and should be completed in 2004.
An unknown number of B-1 bombers were called up Jan. 8, 2003, for deployment to Oman, to be based at Musnanah.
Yemen

U.S. Special Operations forces possibly are operating in northern and eastern Yemen.
Djibouti

Eight hundred Special Operations forces recently have been deployed to Djibouti; about half are ground forces, while the other half are pilots, air crews and mission-support personnel.

Task Force 150: 12 European warships and 1,200 German naval personnel have engaged in anti-terrorism patrols, hunting al Qaeda members fleeing to the region from Afghanistan.
Egypt

U.S. troops are present with Multi-National Force Observers in Sinai.

Approximately 1,900 troops, mostly Air Force.

About eight B-52 bombers.

The country also hosts Navy P-3 operations.

The Pentagon has asked Britain for permission to deploy six B-2s to the island.

Location of the Maritime Pre-positioning Ship Squadron Two (MPSRON Two): six ships loaded with enough equipment and supplies to sustain 17,000 Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force personnel for up to 30 days. MPSRON Two is also in charge of nine ships on temporary assignment. These include four Combat Pre-positioning Force ships carrying equipment and supplies for the Army. Two of those contain equipment for the Army's Port Opening Package, and two carry sustainment cargo. The remaining five vessels are Logistics Pre-positioning Ships. Two of these are Air Force munitions carriers, one carries naval ordnance and two are tankers.

Location of the Combat Pre-positioning Force, also known as Army Pre-positioned Stocks-3 (APS-3): In addition to four vessels on temporary assignment at Diego Garcia, there are eight APS-3 large, medium-speed, roll on/roll off (LMSR) ships in the Persian Gulf. Four of those contain combat equipment, and four contain cargo and vehicles for support and sustainment.
Eritrea

The United States reportedly is investigating the potential for use of ports and airstrips.
Israel

The United States reportedly has pre-positioned munitions, vehicles and other military equipment for the Marines, Special Forces and Air Force aircraft in at least six secret sites.
Bulgaria

The U.S. military used air bases in Bulgaria for logistics in support of the war on Afghanistan, flying about six refueling missions per day. About 200 U.S. troops reportedly remain at an air base near Burgas, which theoretically could be used in support of the war on Iraq.
Romania

U.S. troops reportedly are at air base in Constanta, which could be used against Iraq.

Status of Navy
Current as of Jan. 31, 2003

Persian Gulf USS Constellation Carrier Battle Group
Nearly 8,000 total personnel
Battle Group commander: Rear Adm. Barry Costello
In the Persian Gulf, supporting Operation Southern Watch.

USS Constellation (CV 64): Departed San Diego on Nov. 2, 2002

USS Valley Forge (CG 50): Departed San Diego on Nov. 2, 2002

USS Bunker Hill (CG 52): Departed San Diego on Nov. 2, 2002

USS Higgins (DDG 76): Departed San Diego on Nov. 2, 2002

USS Thach (FFG 43): Departed San Diego on Nov. 2, 2002

USS Ranier (AOE 7): Departed Bremerton, Wash.

USS Columbia (SSN 771): Departed Pearl Harbor – also reported in Diego Garcia.

USS Milius (DDG 69): 266 crew, departed San Diego on Nov. 2, 2002, with the Constellation Battle Group, but tasked to MIOPS on arrival in the Gulf.

Armilla Patrol
British contribution to Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOPS) in the Persian Gulf, in support of UNSCR.

HMS Cardiff (D 108): 253 crew, took over from HMS Argyll on Nov. 1, 2002. Between now and January she carries out MIOPS and has visits to Dubai and Kuwait.

Mine Countermeasures Division 31
USS Ardent (MCM 12) – Based in Bahrain, 85 crew

USS Dextrous (MCM 13) – Based in Bahrain, 85 crew

USS Cardinal (MHC 60) – Based in Bahrain, 50 crew

USS Raven (MHC 61) – Based in Bahrain, 50 crew

British Minesweepers

HMS Brocklesby (M 33)

HMS Sandown (M 101)

HMS Bangor (M 109)

HMS Blythe (M 111)

RFA Sir Bedivere (L 3004)

Mediterranean Sea
Carrier Battle Group 2
8,141 total personnel
Battle Group Commander: Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem
Currently taking part in exercises in the Adriatic, after departing Souda Bay, Crete, Greece on Jan 3, 2003.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75): 3,400 crew, Capt. Michael Groothousen, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

Carrier Air Wing 3: 2,000 personnel, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS San Jacinto (CG 56): 387 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79): 359 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5,2002.

USS Mitscher (DDG 57): 316 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS Donald Cook (DDG 75): 316 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS Briscoe (DD 977): 325 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS Deyo (DD 989): 325 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS Hawes (FFG 53): 201 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196): 104 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

USNS Mount Baker (T-AE 34): 148 crew, departed Earle Naval Weapons Station on Dec. 5, 2002.

USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720): 130 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.
USS Montpelier (SSN 765): 130 crew, departed Norfolk on Dec. 5, 2002.

Amphibious Task Force East
Departed Norfolk Jan. 15, 2003. Currently in Mediterranean, having passed the Strait of Gibraltar on Jan. 29.

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade:7,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune, under the command of Brig. Gen. Richard F. Natonski

Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269

Marine Aircraft Group 29

USS Saipan (LHA 2)

USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44)

USS Ponce (LPD 15)

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

USS Ashland (LSD 48)

USS Portland (LSD 37)

Naval Task Group 03 (United Kingdom)
5,000 Navy personnel and 3,000 Royal Marine Commandos (including HQ 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, 42 Commando Royal Marines, 40 Commando Royal Marines and 29 Commando Regiment RA). Engaged in exercises off Cyprus at end of January.
·
HMS Ark Royal (RO7): Departed Portsmouth, England on Jan. 11, 2003.
· HMS Ocean (L 12): Departed Portsmouth, England on Jan. 16, 2003.
· HMS Liverpool (D 92):
· HMS Edinburgh (D 97):
· HMS York (D 98):
· HMS Marlborough (F 233):
· HMS? (S ?): Attack submarine
· RFA Argus (A 135)
· RFA Fort Rosalie (A 385)
· RFA Fort Austin (A 386)
· RFA Fort Victoria (A 387)
· RFA Sir Galahad (L 3005)
· RFA Sir Tristram (L 3505)
· RFA Sir Percival (L 3036)
· HMS Ledbury (M 30)
· HMS Grimsby (M 108)

· HMS Chatham (F 87): Departed Devonport, England, on Jan. 13, 2003, to relieve HMS Cumberland (F 85), which has been operating in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea since June.

Arabian Sea

USS Nassau Amphibious Ready Group
Last reported somewhere in the Arabian Sea.
During its deployment, the group took part in Dynamic Response '02, a month-long operation in Kosovo.
·
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
·
USS Nassau (LHA 4): 1,064 personnel, departed Norfolk on Aug. 26, 2002.
·
USS Austin (LPD 4): 402 personnel, departed Norfolk on Aug. 26, 2002.
·
USS Tortuga (LSD 46): 310 personnel, departed Norfolk on Aug. 26, 2002.

Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa
·
USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20): 842 crew, departed Norfolk on Nov. 12, 2002.

Operation Oracle
British contribution to coalition task force from the northern Gulf to the Horn of Africa, to detect and deter the movement of al Qaeda terrorist material.
·
HMS Cumberland (F 85): 253 crew, operating in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea since June. Due to be replaced by HMS Chatham (F 87).

Task Force 150
International Patrol off Horn of Africa, interdicting al Qaeda traffic. Unlikely to participate in war on Iraq.
·
Navarra (F 85) – Spain
· Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F 218) – Germany
· Rheinland-Pfalz (F 209) – Germany
· Vendemiaire (F 734) – France
· Patino (A 14) – Spain
· Chatham (F 87) – UK, see Operation Oracle
· USS Higgins (DDG 76) – Also listed as part of Constellation Carrier Battle Group

Maritime Interdiction Operations
·
Anzac (FFH 150) – Australia
· Darwin (FFG 04) – Australia

Indian Ocean

USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Battle Group
7,500 total personnel
Completed a tour in the region and was bound for home when it received orders to wait in Australia. Departed Fremantle, Australia, on Jan. 20, 2003, upon receiving orders to return to the Gulf region. Due to arrive in theater by mid-February.
·
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72): 5,300 crew
· USS Mobile Bay (CG 53): 364 crew, had been tasked to MIOPS in the Gulf.
· USS Shiloh (CG 67): 364 crew
· USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60): 323 crew, departed Pearl Harbor
· USS Fletcher (DD 992): Departed Pearl Harbor
· USS Crommlein (FFG 37): 300 crew
· USS Reuben James (FFG 57): 300 crew, departed Pearl Harbor
· USS Camden (AOE 2): 700 crew
· USS Honolulu (SSN 718): 130 crew, departed Pearl Harbor
· USS Cheyenne (SSN 773): Possibly part of the group, or just operating nearby
· USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) – Departed Baltimore on Jan. 6, 2003, bound for Diego Garcia. Transited the Suez Canal on Jan. 23.
· USNS Algol (T-AKR 287) – Loaded equipment from the U.S. Army's 94th Battalion, in Antwerp Jan. 13-14. Departed Jan. 15. Transited the Suez Canal on Jan. 23, bound for Kuwait.

Pacific Ocean

USS Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group
Departed San Diego on Jan. 6, 2003, bound for the Persian Gulf region.
·
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit: Col. Thomas Waldhauser, commander. The 15th MEU, part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, is on its second deployment in a year. In November 2001, 15th MEU Marines set up Camp Rhino in Afghanistan.
· USS Tarawa (LHA 1)
· USS Duluth (LPD 6)
· USS Rushmore (LSD 47)

Amphibious Task Force West
6,000 to 7,000 Marines embarked.
Departed Jan. 17, 2003, en route to the Gulf region.
·
1st Marine Regiment: 3,000 Marines
· USS Boxer (LHD 4)
· USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6): 1,600 Marines
· USS Cleveland (LPD 7)
· USS Dubuque (LPD 8)
· USS Anchorage (LSD 36)
· USS Comstock (LSD 45)
· USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52)

Atlantic Ocean

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Battle Group
Commanded by Rear Adm. John C. Harvey Jr.
Began training exercises off Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, on Jan 13, 2003. Ordered to the Gulf region Jan 20, 2003. Due to arrive in theater by mid-February. Battle group includes Commander, Destroyer Squadron Two.
·
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
· Carrier Air Wing Eight
· USS Anzio (CG 68)
· USS Cape St. George (CG 71)
· USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51)
· USS Porter (DDG 78)
· USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81)
· USS Stump (DD 978)
· USS Carr (FFG 52)
· USS Arctic (AOE 8)
· Two unnamed attack submarines

· USNS Seay (T-AKR 302): 30 crew, due in Beaumont, Texas, around Jan. 18, to be loaded with Army equipment. Currently bound for Southwest Asia.
· USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303): 30 crew, departed Jan. 16, 2003, bound for Kuwait. One of two ships loaded with equipment for the 3rd Infantry Division. It is scheduled to arrive at its destination around the end of January. Loading and offloading of equipment takes about 96 hours.
· USNS Gilliland (T-AKR 298): 30 crew, en route from Virginia to Savannah as of Jan. 16, to take on equipment from the 3rd Infantry Division for shipment to Kuwait. Loading and offloading of equipment takes about 96 hours.

· USS Sentry (MCM 3) – Based Naval Station Ingleside, ordered to head for the Middle East on Jan. 24 directly from maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico, the trip should take two to three weeks.
· USS Devastator (MCM 6) – Based Naval Station Ingleside, ordered to head for the Middle East on Jan. 24 directly from maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico, the trip should take two to three weeks.
· USS Scout (MCM 8) – Based Naval Station Ingleside, ordered to head for the Middle East on Jan. 24 directly from maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico, the trip should take two to three weeks.
· USS Chief (MCM 14) – Based Naval Station Ingleside, ordered to head for the Middle East on Jan. 24 directly from maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico, the trip should take two to three weeks.

· Cape Race (T-AKR 9960) – based Portsmouth, Va., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22, and loaded and underway no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· Cape Rise (T-AKR 9678) – based Portsmouth, Va., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22, and loaded and underway no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· Cape Decision (T-AKR 5054) – based Charleston, S.C., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22, and loaded and underway no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· Cape Diamond (T-AKR 5055) – based Charleston, S.C., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22, and loaded and underway no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· Cape Taylor (T-AKR 113) – based Houston, Texas, activated Jan. 17, departed Corpus Christi for southwest Asia with equipment for the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, on Jan. 28 (scheduled to depart Jan. 27 but delayed by fog).
· Cape Texas (T-AKR 112) – based Houston, Texas, activated Jan. 17, departed Corpus Christi for southwest Asia with equipment for the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, on Jan. 29.
· Cape Trinity (T-AKR 9711) – based Houston, Texas, activated Jan. 17, in Corpus Christi loading cargo from the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, on Jan. 29, bound for southwest Asia.
· Cape Victory (T-AKR 9701) – based Beaumont, Texas, activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22, and loaded and underway no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· Cape Vincent (T-AKR 9666) – based Beaumont, Texas, activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22, and loaded and underway no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.

On Standby (Carriers)

USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - Departed Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Jan .20, 2003, for exercises off Iwo Jima. Subsequently ordered to the Sea of Japan as a contingency for rising tensions with North Korea. On orders to be prepared to deploy within 96 hours of notification.

USS George Washington (CVN 73) - Norfolk, Va. - Returned to port on Dec. 20, 2002. On orders to be prepared to deploy within 96 hours of notification. Three ships from the GW battle group remained deployed in mid-January, scheduled to return by the end of the month: the USS Kauffman, USS Barry and USS Arthur W. Radford.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Departed from Bremerton, Wash. on Jan. 13, 2003, for a training exercise in the Pacific. Reported off Kaui on Jan. 27, bound for the Western Pacific. The Carl Vinson may relieve the Kitty Hawk, allowing the Kitty Hawk to deploy to the Persian Gulf Region.

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) – Returned to San Diego from Joint Task Force exercise off southern California (Jan. 10-29), Declared ready for Western Pacific/Gulf deployment. The Pearl Harbor-based guided missile cruiser Chosin and attack submarine Pasadena are part of the battle group.

Unavailable (Carriers)

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - Returned to San Diego after deployment in the Western Pacific/Gulf area.
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Portsmouth, Va. - Extended dry-dock, scheduled to deploy in the fall. Not ready until after May.
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - Mayport, Fla. - Post-deployment maintenance began Jan. 6, 2003, will last for nine months.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - Newport News, Va. - Began three-year refueling and complex overhaul on May 22, 2001.
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) – Still fitting out. Expected to be battle-ready spring 2005.

Coast Guard
Updated Feb. 5, 2003

· USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Baranof (WPB 1318) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Wrangell (WPB 1332) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Adak (WPB 1333) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Grand Isle (WPB 1338) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Bainbridge Island (WPB 1343) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Pea Island (WPB 1347) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
· USCGC Knight Island (WPB 1348) – Will deploy to Gulf region by sealift. Date of deployment not announced.
• USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719) – Departed for Persian Gulf region from Alameda on Jan. 3. Transiting with the Tarawa.

Active Military Sealift

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 20, 2002, 23 U.S. Navy and chartered civilian cargo ships, including two Saudi-owned vessels, moved almost 1.6 million square feet of materiel from the United States, Europe, Asia and Diego Garcia to the Persian Gulf -- including 1,290 20-foot containers loaded with ammunition, 18,130 tons of ammunition not in containers, tanker tucks, helicopters, bridge sections and Army landing craft.

· USNS Algol (T-AKR 287) – Loaded equipment from the U.S. Army's 94th Battalion, in Antwerp on Jan. 13-14. Departed Jan. 15. Transited the Suez Canal on Jan. 23, bound for Kuwait.
· USNS Bellatrix (T-AKR 288) – Activated late 2002.
· Denebola (T-AKR 289) – Arrived Wilmington, N.C., to load USMC cargo on Jan. 21. Cargo reportedly included amphibious assault vehicles and armored landing vehicles. Departed for Gulf region Jan. 24.
· USNS Pollux (T-AKR 290) – Based in Jacksonville, Fla. Loading cargo in San Diego on Jan. 24.
· USNS Regulus (T-AKR 292) – Arrived Wilmington, N.C., to load USMC cargo Jan. 21. Cargo reportedly included amphibious assault vehicles and armored landing vehicles. Departed for Gulf region Jan. 26.
· USNS Antares (T-AKR 294) – Based in Jacksonville, Fla. Departed for Gulf region from San Diego on Jan. 24.
· USNS Gordon (T-AKR 296) – Loading vehicles and containers in Charleston, circa Feb. 1.
· USNS Yano (T-AKR 297) – Based in Baltimore, Md., sailed from Charleston, S.C., at noon Dec. 24 with a cargo including a Black Hawk helicopter and three OH-58 combat helicopters. Under orders to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, meaning the trip to the Persian Gulf will take 21-25 days.
· USNS Gilliland (T-AKR 298) – En route from Virginia to Savannah as of Jan. 16, to take on equipment from the 3rd Infantry Division for shipment to Kuwait. Loading and offloading of equipment takes about 96 hours.
· USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300) – Activated in late 2002.
· USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301) – Began loading equipment Jan. 30 at Beaumont, Texas.
· USNS Seay (T-AKR 302) – Loaded with Patriot missile batteries and wheeled vehicles from Ft. Bliss in Beaumont, Texas, circa Jan. 18. Currently bound for Southwest Asia.
· USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303) – Departed Jan. 16, bound for Kuwait, one of two ships loaded with equipment for the 3rd Infantry Division. It was scheduled to arrive at its destination around the end of January. Loading and offloading of equipment takes about 96 hours.
· USNS Pililaau (9T-AKR 304) – Based in New Orleans, began laoding cargo in Beaumont, Texas, on Dec. 19, departed Dec. 23 loaded with combat support equipment, including wheeled vehicles. Under orders to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, meaning the trip to the Persian Gulf will take 21-25 days.
· USNS Watson (T-AKR 310) – Was expected in Wilmington, N.C., to load cargo from the 2nd Marine Air Wing circa Feb. 1. The Watson is part of Afloat Prepositioning Squadron Four, but unloaded its cargo -- equipment for an Army armored battalion task force -- in Kuwait in mid-December.
· USNS Red Cloud (T-AKR 313) – Loading USMC equipment from Camp Lejeune in Wilmington, N.C., on Jan. 27. Part of Afloat Prepositioning Squadron Four. Already unloaded its cargo at an unnamed foreign port.
· USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314) – Sailed into Persian Gulf in mid-December to unload its cargo at undisclosed port. Part of Afloat Prepositioning Squadron Four.
· USNS Watkins (T-AKR 315) – In Antwerp on Jan. 27, loading six AH-64D, 10 CH-47, 14 UH-60. Possibly part of the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry and either 3-158th Aviation Regiment or 5-158th Aviation Regiment. The Watkins is part of Afloat Prepositioning Squadron Four, but unloaded its Army cargo in Kuwait in July.
· SS SGT Matej Kocak (T-AK 3005) – A 400-Marine offload preparation party from Camp Lejeune on Jan. 8 prepared to deploy to this and four other ships, all part of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron One in the Mediterranean. Elements of MPS 1 arrived in Kuwait on or about Jan. 21 and have been unloaded.
· SS PFC Eugene A Obregon (T-AK 3006) – A 400-Marine offload preparation party from Camp Lejeune on Jan. 8 prepared to deploy to this and four other ships, all part of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron One in the Mediterranean. Elements of MPS 1 arrived in Kuwait on or about Jan. 21 and have been unloaded.
· SS MAJ Stephen W Pless (T-AK 3007) – A 400-Marine offload preparation party from Camp Lejeune on Jan. 8 prepared to deploy to this and four other ships, all part of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron One in the Mediterranean. Elements of MPS 1 arrived in Kuwait on or about Jan. 21 and have been unloaded.
· MV 2nd LT John P Bobo (T-AK 3008) – A 400-Marine offload preparation party from Camp Lejeune on Jan. 8 prepared to deploy to this and four other ships, all part of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron One in the Mediterranean. Elements of MPS 1 arrived in Kuwait on or about Jan. 21 and have been unloaded.
· USNS 1st LT Harry L Martin (T-AK 3015) – A 400-Marine offload preparation party from Camp Lejeune on Jan. 8 prepared to deploy to this and four other ships, all part of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron One in the Mediterranean. Elements of MPS 1 arrived in Kuwait on or about 01/21 and have been unloaded.
· USNS Cape Island (T-AKR 10) – Reported loading equipment from Ft. Lewis at Port of Tacoma, Wash., on Feb. 1.
· USNS Cape Intrepid (T-AKR 11) – Reported loading equipment from Ft. Lewis at Port of Tacoma, Wash., on Feb. 1. Cargo included equipment from 555th Engineer Group and the 62nd Medical Brigade.
· USNS Cape Texas (T-AKR 112) – based Houston, Texas. Activated Jan. 17, departed Corpus Christi for Southwest Asia with equipment for the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, on Jan. 29.
· USNS Cape Taylor (T-AKR 113) – based Houston, Texas. Activated Jan. 17, departed Corpus Christi for Southwest Asia with equipment for the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, on Jan. 28 (scheduled to depart Jan. 27 but delayed by fog).
· USNS Adm. William H. Callaghan (T-AKR 1001) – Activated Jan. 24. Departed Port of San Francisco circa Feb. 5.
· USNS Cape Orlando (T-AKR 2044) – Activated Jan. 24. Departed Port of San Francisco circa Feb. 5.
· USNS Cape Ducato (T-AKR 5051) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Douglas (T-AKR 5052) – Based in Charleston, S.C. On five-day activation notice circa Jan. 17.
· USNS Cape Domingo (T-AKR 5053) – Based in Charleston, S.C. On five-day activation notice circa Jan. 17.
· USNS Cape Decision (T-AKR 5054) – based Charleston, S.C., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22 and loaded and under way no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· USNS Cape Diamond (T-AKR 5055) – based Charleston, S.C., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22 and loaded and under way no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· USNS Cape Isabel (T-AKR 5062) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Hudson (T-AKR 5066) – Activated Jan. 24. Departed Port of San Francisco circa Feb. 5.
· USNS Cape Henry (T-AKR 5067) – Activated Jan. 24. Departed Port of San Francisco circa Feb. 5.
· USNS Cape Horn (T-AKR 5068) – Activated Jan. 24. Departed Port of San Francisco circa Feb. 5.
· USNS Cape Emont (T-AKR 5069) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Inscription (T-AKR 5076) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Knox (T-AKR 5082) – Based in New Orleans. On five-day activation notice circa Jan. 17.
· USNS Cape Kennedy (T-AKR 5083) – Based in New Orleans. On five-day activation notice circa Jan. 17.
· USNS Cape Vincent (T-AKR 9666) – Activated Jan. 17. Departed Beaumont, Texas, on Jan. 31 for Persian Gulf region.
· USNS Cape Rise (T-AKR 9678) – based Portsmouth, Va., activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22 and loaded and under way no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· USNS Cape Ray (T-AKR 9679) – based Portsmouth, Va. Activated Feb. 4.
· USNS Cape Victory (T-AKR 9701) – based Beaumont, Texas. Activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22 and loaded and under way no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· USNS Cape Trinity (T-AKR 9711) – based Houston, Texas. Activated Jan. 17, in Corpus Christi loading cargo from the 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Hood, on Jan. 29, bound for Southwest Asia.
· USNS Cape Race (T-AKR 9960) – based Portsmouth, Va. Activated Jan. 17, ordered to be operational no later than Jan. 22 and loaded and under way no later than Jan. 28. Transit time of 18-21 days would put it in Kuwait approximately Feb. 18.
· USNS Cape Washington (T-AKR 9961) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Wrath (T-AKR 9962) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape John (T-AK 5022) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Gibson (T-AK 5051) – Reported active.
· USNS Cape Johnson (T-AK 5075) – Based Wilmington, N.C. Loaded ammunition at Naval Weapons Station, Earle, N.J, beginning in November. Deployed to Southwest Asia on Dec. 31. Activated with seven other cargo ships for duty with Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, based in Diego Garcia.
· USNS Curtiss (T-AVB 4) – Departed San Diego for Gulf region with USMC helicopters and equipment in late January.
· USNS Wright (T-AVB 3) – Activated. Based in Baltimore, Md.
· MV Tellus – ARC fleet ro-ro vessel due in Antwerp early February, to load V Corps helicopters and tanks and equipment, possibly from the 2nd Armored Division.