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Navy F/A-18 disables Iranian-flagged oil tanker
US forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port at 9 a.m. ET, May 6, US Central Command (CENTCOM) says in a news release.
CENTCOM forces observed M/T Hasna as it transited international waters enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the US blockade.
After Hasna’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, US forces disabled the tanker’s rudder by firing several rounds from the M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon gun of a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran.
The US blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports remains in full effect. CENTCOM forces continue to act deliberately and professionally to ensure compliance.
Carrier Air Wing 9
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury. Carrier Air Wing 9 is embarked aboard the Lincoln.
The following units are part of Carrier Air Wing 9:
- The “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
- The “Black Aces” of VFA 41 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
- The “Vigilantes” of VFA 151 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
- The “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 – F-35C– from Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif.
- The “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif
- The “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30 (VRM-30) – CMV-22B – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
- The “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island.
- The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.
Project Freedom
CENTCOM started to support Project Freedom, on May 4, to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The mission, which was suspended on May 6 to allow the US to read a deal with Iran, aimed at supporting merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through the essential international trade corridor. A quarter of the world’s oil trade at sea and significant volumes of fuel and fertilizer products are transported through the strait.
US military support to Project Freedom included guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.
On May 4, US Navy Sea Hawk and US Army AH-64 Apache helicopters were used to eliminate Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping.
Photo credit: U.S. Navy
