US prepares to confront Iranian aggression in Persian Gulf

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For sure our next guest is uniquely qualified to explain US naval operations in the golf.

He's admiral Gary -- head he's the chief he was the chief of naval operations for the entire US navy.

He retired less than a year ago and he's now a distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover institution in that -- This is your first interview since your retirement let me be the first -- you thank you for your service to our country.

Well thank you very much Jenna it's -- and join you on the show.

Their retirement not that happy that I as well as after all the -- reserves that you've you've had.

I'm off and have the plan's been in place for this -- -- significant build up.

In this part of the world -- Ron.

Well one of the things that I would say -- is that our presidents and the Middle East and particularly in the gulf region has lasted for about sixty years.

It's part of our normal presence part of our normal deployment.

That's what you're navy does day in and day out we always have the presence there.

But the beauty of naval forces.

Is that you can increase and decrease them.

Without really having to worry about basing rights over flight rights things like that so.

What you're seeing is an increase in forces that as his -- of these have been flow.

But commanders call for from time to time.

So Evan flow we've mentioned that there is an additional aircraft carrier going to that her the world we mentioned -- we've been reporting in the past several days about these.

Quote unquote war games he's mine sweeping exercises that will take place in the next several weeks -- -- and report unconfirmed report avenue radar station going in.

And -- In getting back to that question about the bill that would this be the type the buildup that we seat.

On the eve of a conflicts.

Or as you were just describing to us is this -- part of that may be more.

Observation.

Of what's happening in this region.

Well we've been running between one and two aircraft carriers and the region for quite some time they provide a significant amount of air power to our forces in Afghanistan.

We've operated in the gulf clearly as you have mentioned whenever you're talking about.

Maintaining the strategic flow of energy out of that important region.

And you look at the straits of Hormuz.

You have to take into account all of the things that naval force may need to do.

To keep that straight open and clearly.

Minds are something that can impeded or stopped flow of of energy.

-- so -- -- win my main -- Pat Riley I'm -- minor threat out right intact -- is that how significant is the mine threat.

Well I would submit that any time you have -- in the water it's it's a significant.

Issue that you have to deal with.

We are not unfamiliar with mines and the Arabian gulf we've -- to deal with them before we've cleared them before.

When Iran has employed them but it's also important that we continue to practice in the area where you may be called upon to.

-- to be able to clear the -- to work with our friends and partners in the region.

And that's what exercise or -- it's not just a question of getting in there and clearing them.

But it's very important that when you were talking about the energy flows the world how quickly you can do them.

And that requires practice that's what the exercises are all about timing and we have increased our capability there -- no question about it.

All geared toward making sure that we keep that straight of.

What your point is -- -- practice that practice makes perfect right -- timing is important as well.

This this is happening after these tough sanctions are.

Are being levied on Iran -- and there's no doubt in anybody's mind this is when the biggest news stories of the year what's happening with Iran and its nuclear program.

They exercise aren't just about practice and imagine it's also about sending a message I'm curious -- you think about that message do you think that a Ryan is taking it seriously.

That they are looking at our ships in those exercises not -- his defensive actions.

But potentially being used on the offensive.

If they -- not stop their nuclear program.

I believe Iran and all nations take her naval forces and our military forces -- seriously.

How we employ them the capabilities that they have -- really unmatched and that's what you're saying in in the region today so.

They're there to ensure that we provide for the safety security stability.

It is a strong force -- -- forced.

We've used in the past.

And will continue to use and it's an asset that the American people have that is truly valuable one.

And a rough had nice to have you today thank you for the time in your insights and your expertise.

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US prepares to confront Iranian aggression in Persian Gulf

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