From here.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ (May 19, 2012) The guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) transits the Strait of Hormuz with Military Sealift Command missile range instrumentation ship USNS Invincible (T-AGM 24) and British Royal Navy ships HMS Ramsey (M110), HMS Pembroke (M107) and RFA Lyme Bay (L3007). Nitze is deployed as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff Atherton/Released)

It is very interesting that while the US negotiates the future of the Iranian nuclear program in Baghdad, USNS Invincible (T-AGM-24) enters the Persian Gulf.

 

USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Sentry (MCM 3), USS Pioneer (MCM 9) and USS Warrior (MCM 10)

You can learn more about the Dockwise ship TERN here, and there are more pictures here. These ships should arrive in Bahrain sometime in the 3rd week in June.

 

 

 

View the full article

Very cool photo and interesting, lesser-known news item. Thanks!

A dictator with a sense of humor might place a minefield in Tern's path or hijack her or... I bet she is unescorted.

Military Sealift Command missile range instrumentation ship USNS Invincible (T-AGM 24)

 

Any news of what she is doing in the Gulf?

Did a check of various sources and found it is likely there to track the upcoming Iranian satellite launch. Here's the source: http://www.space.com/15824-iran-launching-...-satellite.html (rmks: I personally think this is another test of its three-stage missile. I don't know of any satellite payloads that weigh-in at 50kg (110lb), which seems kind of puny to me - even for a warhead mock-up).

Did a check of various sources and found it is likely there to track the upcoming Iranian satellite launch.

 

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks. Doesn't look they've tossed the rocket yet.

 

I personally think this is another test of its three-stage missile.

 

You're not alone.

 

I don't know of any satellite payloads that weigh-in at 50kg (110lb), which seems kind of puny to me - even for a warhead mock-up).

 

Micro satellite class. Iran claims it is a high resolution imaging satellite intended to stay in LEO for 1.5 years. Yep, sure.