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Air Force Warthogs patrol Middle East waters in response to Iranian actions
[StarsAndStripes] A U.S. attack aircraft known for close air support in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is seeing action in maritime patrols amid recent tensions between the U.S. and Iran, according to the Navy.A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” jets are part of an increased rotation of U.S. aircraft and ships in the Strait of Hormuz, off Iran’s coast, U.S. 5th Fleet said this week. Navy destroyers, Coast Guard fast response cutters, P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned systems are also part of the patrols, 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Tim Hawkins said Monday. “Our ramped-up defensive posture is in response to Iran’s unwarranted and unlawful behavior of late,” Hawkins said. The U.S. accuses Iran of seizing a commercial oil tanker in late April and another one in early May, as part of a series of 15 incidents in which the U.S. says Iran interfered with ships in the Middle East. The Iranian government says its recent seizures of oil tankers were due to ship violations or legal disputes. Related: Strait of Hormuz: 2023-05-22 As maritime tensions with US soar, Iran brags it can secure Gulf with its neighbors Strait of Hormuz: 2023-05-20 US Navy Commander Inspects USS Hamilton in Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions Strait of Hormuz: 2023-05-14 Iran says monitoring Persian Gulf as US plans to bolster presence Posted by: NoMoreBS 2023-05-26 |
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