by Selwyn Manning
The Pentagon has halted the movement of aircraft carrier Enterprise in the Indian Ocean and ordered it back toward the
USA.
The warship has been told to await orders for a possible return to the Gulf to join another U.S. carrier, Reuters news
agency is reporting.
The Enterprise was recently replaced by the carrier Carl Vinson in the Gulf south of Iraq.
A US Armed Forces official has confirmed the two aircraft carriers carry more than 60 warplanes each and could launch
massive attacks of retribution if a country or terrorist group was proved to be behind the terrorist attacks.
Cruisers, submarines and other warships that escort the carriers are also capable of firing long-range cruise missiles
with pinpoint accuracy.
USA officials have continued a "no comment" stance on who may be responsible for the attacks.
News agency reports quote Army Gen. Henry Shelton, chairman of the Pentagon Joint Chiefs of Staff, as saying: "The armed
forces are ready."