The U.S. Navy Is Providing Strategic Air Defense In The Eastern Mediterranean

India's Sea Kings helicopters fly over USS. Higgins during the joint exercise between India and U.S. near the western Indian coastal state of Goa September 29, 2005. REUTERS/Punit Paranjpe

From Reuters:

ABOARD USS HIGGINS, Mediterranean Sea (Reuters) - He is trained to hunt submarines or pirates, launch Tomahawk cruise missiles at coastal targets and shoot down attacking planes. He can also enforce naval blockades and rescue vessels in distress.

Yet, on his first Mediterranean tour, Cmdr Carl Meuser may have another mission in mind, the kind the U.S. Navy has long performed off North Korea and Japan -- strategic air defense.

Read more ....

Update: Security and Defense: Israel goes ballistic -- Jerusalem Post

My Comment: I am surprised to read that there are only 18 of these ships around the world .... I expected more. This is a good read on America's front line defense against missile attack.