FYI to clear up some of the rumors…

The false report regarding the USS Dallas is sourced to “White House, Pentagon at odds over aid to Georgia”, McClatchy Washington Bureau, DC – Aug 19, 2008. Check Google Cache, the article was changed when the Dallas pulled into Groton this week.

It should be noted that Turkey did give permission for a submarine to cross the straits, that is sourced to Turkey media and like the SNMG-1 ships is reported to have permission to enter the Black Sea based on schedule from October 2007. Only 2 ships has asked permission to date to cross the Straits as a result of the Georgian conflict, the USS McFaul and USS Mount Whitney. The Dallas and SNMG-1 had previous permission for an exercise Russia was originally scheduled to participate in.

There is no media confirmation of a US submarine in the Black Sea, only Turkish media confirmation that permission was previously given.

The Russians have 1 submarine with a home port in Ukraine, Kilo class, and it is in good condition.

USS McFaul (DDG-74)is not BMD capable. USS Ramage (DDG 61) is the only Atlantic fleet AEGIS ship known to have AEGIS BMD, and it deploys this week with the Iwo Jima ESG.

SNMG-1 will be conducting exercises with Romania and Bulgaria, as explained above, these exercises have been planned since October 2007.