USCGC Dallas Arrives in Georgia
August 27th, 2008 at 07:09pm Mark Noonan
The news story:
A U.S. military ship loaded with aid docked at a southern Georgian port Wednesday, and Russia sent three missile boats to another Georgian port as the standoff escalated over a nation devastated by war with Russia.
Georgia’s government said its short war with Russia had caused $1 billion in damages, while European leaders called the Kremlin’s moves in two breakaway Georgian regions an unacceptable attempt to unilaterally redraw the map of the Caucasus region.
The dockings came a day after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recognized the Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, which Georgia answered Wednesday by recalling all but two diplomats from its embassy in Moscow.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas, carrying 34 tons of humanitarian aid, docked in the Black Sea port of Batumi, south of the zone of this month’s fighting between Russia and Georgia. The arrival avoided Georgia’s main cargo port of Poti, still controlled by Russian soldiers.
Why the Coast Guard? Probably has to do with the mission being more humanitarian than military (Dallas has one 76mm gun and one Phalanx anti-missile gun) and, also, its rather tricky to send combat ships through the Dardanelles. Still, its a sign that we remain committed to Georgia and any American forces in Georgia lessens the likelihood of further unprovoked Russian aggression.
But it is dangerous, and we should say a prayer for our men and women now in harms way in that corner of the world - Russia under Putin has proven itself irresponsible and dangerous, so we cannot rely upon the Russians applying common sense to the issue. They may strike again, and may even deliberately strike our forces in some bizarre attempt to teach us a lesson, or some such chest-thumping by the Bear.
Also good to keep in mind: the world is a dangerous place, and the White House is no place for a heretofor empty suit to learn the ropes.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Foreign Affairs
13 Comments
1. jayhay | August 27th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
“Still, its a sign that we remain committed to Georgia and any American forces in Georgia lessens the likelihood of further unprovoked Russian aggression.”
There is some of that retarded Bush foreign policy genius for you - and McCain promises even more bluster and sabre-rattling.
And P.S., guess you didn’t get the Hillary fracas at the convention you (and the media) pushed for ad nauseum. How many times are you guys gonna be wrong before you sit down and listen for a while?
First black nominee to major party in America’s history - and you all just thumb your nose. What an honorable role you play in modern politics…
2. neocon | August 27th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
First black nominee to major party in America’s history - and you all just thumb your nose. What an honorable role you play in modern politics…jayhay
What an ignorant comment. There have been countless flattering posts about Obama on this site, many from me. He ran a good campaign and will continue to be a force in the years to come. However, he is just far too inexperienced and currently far too beholden to far left causes to be POTUS.
It’s the content of his policies, not the color of his skin.
3. gotbrains? | August 27th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
…the White House is no place for a heretofor empty suit to learn the ropes.”
Unless your name is George W Bush.. .
…who is still learning the ropes.
4. Kahn | August 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
jayhay, we just don’t care about his color. Can’t you get that? You’re the party that’s obsessed with what color people are.
5. Kahn | August 27th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
jayhay, we just don’t care about his color. Can’t you get that? You’re the party that’s obsessed with what color people are.
So you think we should abandon Georgia to the Russians? Damn the fact that they will gain control of a major pipeline? OK. Thanks for your input.
Is that what you think Obama said? Is it?
6. Macker | August 27th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Two words: Drop Ships.
7. Magnum Serpentine | August 27th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
If helping georgia is going to lead to a war that could very well go nuclear. For that reason, even if the chance was less than 1% of a nuclear war, we need to say, good bye georgia. George Washington was right, we should not get involved with other nations affairs.
8. DM | August 28th, 2008 at 10:05 am
As someone else wrote and I think appropriate, we don’t care that Obama is black but we do think he is way too green.
9. Concerned Citizen | August 28th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Jeez.
How well did isolationism serve us in the past? Oh, yeah it was a miserable failure and caused both world wars to be much larger and more drawn out than they should have been.
Also, there is a warship there, the USS McFaul (DDG-74) docked Sunday with 55 tons of aid. Also, the USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) the command ship of the US 6th Fleet is scheduled to arrive within days carrying even more.
Russia is claiming we are sending ‘battleships’ into Georgia smugglin weapons and that the US military has no business delivering humanitarian aide. I guess they don’t pay close attention. The US military has delivered more humanitarian aid in the past fifty years than most of the world combined.
Russia has moved the Moskava, a Slava class missile cruiser and flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, into a neighboring port along with two smaller missile destroyers to contain and restrict the NATO military ‘build-up’ in the region.
I guess one Arleigh Burke destroyer, a lightly armed Coast Guard cutter and a command ship really scare the hell out of the might Black Sea Fleet. I seriously hope they do not try to interdict the movements of those ships. The Mount Whitney is the most sophisticated C4I ship ever deployed. She is worth billions and the United States Navy will not allow her to come into harms way. This could be a touchy situation.
10. Coastie Mom | August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
My son is aboard the USCGC DALLAS. I have recieved many emails since their deployment on May 25,2008. I first would like to say they were scheduled to be in port in greece when they got the call to go to Georgia. Russia knew this, because they were also scheduled to port in Russia,Ukraine and Turkey before all of the conflict began. So the reports of us sending our ships in to cause more conflict are not true. I would like to share my lastest email from him aboard the Dallas:The following in from the Commodore of Task Force area 367. He came aboard with us and it was his first time onboard a Coast Guard cutter. He said nothing but nice things about us and seemed to be very impressed with us. I will not lie we would not have been able to do the mission without the USS McFaul. The McFaul had a Russian Naval Destroyer following them the entire time. We had very little contact with the Russians but the McFaul couldn’t get away from them. When we had communications with the Russians they welcomed us to the Black Sea, and told us to have a “Safe voyage back home soon.” The mission went well and the people were awesome. When we were in Greece, one of my friends on the boat, Matthews, and myself zip tied an American flag on one of the pallets. When the crane lifted it up to unload the pallet the flag was facing towards the ocean where no one could see it. Then the pallet swung unexpectedly to the crowd, and when the crowd of people saw the flag flying on the pallet they went crazy. Cheering and reaching for the flag there were chants of USA! It was absolutely awesome. I really wish ya’ll could have seen it. I hope you all enjoy the Commodore’s letter and I wish you all safe travels. Stay safe I love you all and miss you all.
Take care and God bless,
-Daniel
“Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.”
-Psalm 25:6,7
TF 367, (CO DALLAS please forward to your crew)
We Accomplished a wonderful gesture of friendship and goodwill to a country in need. We leaned forward from the Front and delivered critical Humanitarian supplies to the people of Georgia. Both the Navy and the Coast Guard worked in a cooperative effort to successfully complete this aspect of our mission. Even though this may not be either of our sister services’ primary mission, it was the primary focus of our mission–deliver aid to a friend.
Both the USS McFAUL and USCGC DALLAS successfully off-loaded critical Humanitarian Assistance supplies to the people of Georgia; and all personnel, Sailors and Coast Guardsman alike, performed with great enthusiasm, talent, and speed. The Georgians we met while off-loading our humanitarian supplies expressed their sincere appreciation through their warm and gracious welcome; most notably while we were ashore on Georgian soil.
Our message to the Georgians was a loud one. We came as a friend and partner to the aid of a friend in need. We Answered the Call with vigor and humility. Our acts of kindness and American generosity will not be forgotten. The Georgians will remember our collective goodwill for many years to come.
You Answered the Call and left a beautiful “wake” for the world to see; you have done well and you have been well received.
Remain professional, remain cheerful, and keep on keeping on. I am proud of you. Your Leadership is proud of you. Your Nation is proud of you. And, your families are proud of you.
With Great Respect,
Commodore JW Moore
CTF-367
11. Raymond Perr | August 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
My Daughter is one of the Officers on the Dallas and I am extremely proud of her and he fellow crew mates for what they have accomplished in representing our Country.
Raymond Perr
12. T. Stous | September 13th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
My Husband is also aboard the Dallas. I agree with you two above. Is was a last minute thing that they were called to Georgia. I didn’t like it, who did? The most important thing to me is they are out of the black sea and headed towards home. God bless you baby and the crew. imi
13. B. Rodriguez | September 13th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
In the last four year that my son has made the CG his career. I have come to respect the CG more and more. The Humanitarian aid they unexpectedly transported to Georgia with Naval escort has made many of the crew’s family very proud to say their daughters and sons were on that ship. I do salute Pres. Bush for standing up for Georgia. It shows that the U.S. cannot be pushed around either. True the families were worried but no more than if the Dallas had to face a hurricane off the Atlantic Coast. Salute to you all on the USCGC Dallas and May God guide you home safely.