Navies and terrorism

Ours:

A Canadian warship steamed out of Halifax harbour on Thursday to resume patrols in the Persian Gulf and gain intelligence on potential terrorist activity in the volatile region.

Hundreds of weeping family members lined the military dock as HMCS Charlottetown made its way out to sea to begin a six-month mission involving surveillance, boarding suspicious vessels and ensuring the safety of a waterway that's key to the international trade of oil.

Commander Patrick St-Denis said the ongoing naval presence is vital in the area despite criticisms that the Canadian contingent has apprehended few terrorists or acquired valuable intelligence since 2001...

The Halifax-class patrol frigate will be taking part in Operation Altair, part of Canada's contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom, the code-name for the American-led war on terror.

Canada hasn't had a vessel there since last March when HMCS Ottawa returned from the Gulf where the frigate was part of a U.S. carrier strike group during a six-month tour.

St-Denis said it wasn't yet clear whether Canada will be called on next year to lead the multinational naval task force in the region, which it has done in the past.

Over the last few years Ottawa has dispatched warships on an individual basis. It's unclear whether the Conservative government will be required to send more ships to meet the lead responsibility...

For some reason the CF news release on the voyage does not mention that our ship will be an integral part of a USN strike group led by the carrier USS Harry S. Truman. HMS Manchester will also be part of the group.

Odd also that the Canadian and Welsh news stories say generally where the group is headed, but the American one above doesn't. Close-mouthed is the USN. But this story seems to be on target:

The Naval Station Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, and its nearly 7,500 sailors, are scheduled to deploy Monday [Nov. 5], likely bound for the Middle East.

The sailors will provide maritime security in international waters, according to a Navy press release...

Japan's:

Japan ordered its naval ships to withdraw from a mission backing U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan as a deadline to extend the activities was set to expire on Thursday.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has been struggling against a resurgent opposition to enact a new bill to allow Japan's navy to keep providing free fuel for U.S. and other ships patrolling the Indian Ocean, a mission seen as vital by close ally Washington.

Japan has supplied fuel and water worth about 22 billion yen ($190-million U.S.) over the six years of the mission.

“It is very regrettable that Japan's important activity will have to be suspended,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a parliamentary panel debating the new bill.

“Japan must rejoin the international team to fight terrorism as soon as possible by enacting new legislation.”..