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Not that it applies in this case, but that's the facts of the matter when it comes to disobeying a direct order.
How can an order to simply stand down (if that's what it was) be illegal?
Keep in mind that every major deployed U.S. aircraft carrier (including the Stennis) carries nuclear weapons in a reinforced, secure hold, with only one door that is guarded 24/7 by Marines with live weapons. And of course has aircraft capable of carrying those nuclear weapons.
The idea of an admiral at sea who might disobey orders (especially an order to NOT fire), is not to be tolerated.
I've been trying to find where the Stennis group was when the attack on our consulate in Libya occurred.
Why would you want to do that?
US 7th Fleet would be a giant humungous clue.
If you absolutely must know, Stennis was anchored just outside of San Diego on August 31, 2012. Do the math.
For the record, Stennis was in the 7th Fleet operational area on or about September 10. Now I wasn't in the navy, but I'm fairly certainly Rear Admiral Goucette would have assumed duties as Mid-East Strike Force commander at that time, especially since the Enterprise was cruising just south off the coast of Yemen (getting ready to enter the Red Sea) and had been officially relieved and is in-transit to return home to be decommissioned (December 1).
The point being Enterprise was no longer on combat status the minute she left the Persian Gulf.
Thanks to the marvels of modern technology, you don't have to actually be somewhere to command forces there -- you can be somewhere else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Little-Acorn
Keep in mind that every major deployed U.S. aircraft carrier (including the Stennis) carries nuclear weapons in a reinforced, secure hold, with only one door that is guarded 24/7 by Marines with live weapons. And of course has aircraft capable of carrying those nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons were removed from all US naval vessels in 1991 by order of President George H Bush.
That includes US carriers.
It would take about 3 days to hot ship a warhead from Yorktown Naval Weapons Station or from whatever that place is on the West Coast (I forget and I'm too tired to think) to any carrier or CGN.
Technically...
Mircea
Quote:
Originally Posted by jt800
Actually, that's not true.
An ILLEGAL direct order can be ignored.
Yes, but that is limited to certain special circumstances, usually the violation of an order, a law or a treaty, or an action that would be prejudicial and discredit the US or armed services.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Little-Acorn
How can an order to simply stand down (if that's what it was) be illegal?
One of the few possible scenarios I can think of would involve a nuclear warhead.
Benghazi isnt going to swing the election. I mean, its fine to pretend that you're furious about this...but just an FYI, this isnt going to change anything.
Africom commanding officer U.S. General Carter Ham, who made the decision to assist diplomatic and intelligence assets on the ground, has been arrested and will likely be retired or worse, while those who ordered the removal of embassy security details and ordered U.S. forces to stand-down are left to go on about their business and likely risk more American lives in the future.
Africom commanding officer U.S. General Carter Ham, who made the decision to assist diplomatic and intelligence assets on the ground, has been arrested and will likely be retired or worse, while those who ordered the removal of embassy security details and ordered U.S. forces to stand-down are left to go on about their business and likely risk more American lives in the future.
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