Iranian drone plane buzzes U.S. aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf

30/05/2006 19:06

TEHRAN, May 30 (RIA Novosti) - A pilotless Iranian reconnaissance plane circled for 25 minutes over a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf before returning safely to its base, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday.

"Our pilotless reconnaissance plane flew over the USS Ronald Reagan in the Persian Gulf unnoticed to the Americans for 25 minutes," the official said, according to Iran's Fars agency.

He did not say when the flight took place, but added that U.S. radars picked up the unmanned aerial vehicle after 25 minutes, and that four USAF fighters and two helicopters were scrambled to intercept it. However, the Iranian plane had already crossed the border back into Iran and landed at its base.

"This points to holes in the U.S. military reconnaissance systems deployed in the Persian Gulf," the Iranian official said.

Ronald Reagan Underway Following Third Port Visit to United Arab Emirates
By Photographer’s Mate Airman Thomas C. Kuhl
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Sailors from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14), Carrier Strike Group Seven (CSG-7), and Destroyer Squadron Seven (DESRON-7) sailed back to sea after a third scheduled port visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) May 14-18.

During the four-day port visit, Sailors enjoyed the opportunity to experience the culture of the city of Dubai while shopping and sightseeing. Additionally, Ronald Reagan’s Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division offered a variety of sporting events and tours as inexpensive opportunities for Sailors to see the sights and relax.

“I participated in a walking tour offer through the USO [United Services Organization],” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3 rd Class William Finnelli, a flight deck crash and salvage crewman.

“It gave me the opportunity to experience the sites and culture of the city that I most likely would not have been able to experience on my own. The tour took me to parts of the city that as a tourist, I wouldn’t usually think of going into. It gave me the chance to actually get a glimpse of every day life of the local population of Dubai ,” said Finnelli.

Some Ronald Reagan Sailors also took the opportunity to taste some traditional Arabic food and to acquire some last minute souvenirs.

“This port visit, I found the Karama, a local market place full of local artwork and crafts,” said Air Traffic Controller Third Class Brian Black. “There, I was able to find the last few mementos to make my visits to Dubai complete.”

Ronald Reagan is currently deployed in the Arabian Gulf as part of a routine rotation of U.S. maritime forces in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region.

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Commissioned in 2003, Reagan is the Navy’s newest Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier and departed San Diego Jan. 4 on its maiden deployment.