US Warships Disappear, Reemerge Far From Gulf: A Strange Shift

A pair of U. S. Navy vessels, the Tulsa and Santa Barbara, were last seen in Bahrain’s waters in early February as part of a mine‑clearing task. In mid‑March, photos taken by a Malaysian observer showed both ships docked in Penang, more than 3, 500 miles away. The move raised doubts about U. S. ability to guard the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route that has been threatened by Iranian mine threats. The Tulsa and Santa Barbara belong to the Independence‑class, a newer design meant to replace older minesweepers. These ships arrived in Bahrain within the past year, taking over duties that had been left empty after the navy retired its Avenger‑class wooden vessels. By late February, satellite images revealed no U. S. warships in the region. The timing coincided with a joint U. S. –Israel strike on Iran, suggesting that moving the ships out of range was intentional. Penang’s North Butterworth Container Terminal is a deep‑water facility that can handle large ships. It became a free commercial zone in 2021, serving as a hub for cargo between the Bay of Bengal and East Asia. The navy’s spokesperson said the stops were “brief logistical calls” reflecting long‑standing cooperation with Malaysia. However, it is unclear whether the ships will return to the Gulf or stay in the Pacific.The departure leaves a thin mine‑countermeasure presence in the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20 % of global oil traffic, and Iran has a history of laying mines there. Clearing any mines is slow and requires specialized equipment that the Independence‑class may not fully provide. The third Independence‑class ship, Canberra, has an unknown location, and the navy’s older Avenger ships are being phased out. Critics point out that the Independence‑class uses an aluminum hull, which does not reduce magnetic signatures as well as the wooden hulls of the Avenger ships. Recent reports highlight problems with the ship’s unmanned surface vehicles and sonar systems, which can miss threats or require lengthy setup. The navy admits that the platform was designed for multiple missions, which can dilute focus on mine‑clearing. With two of the three ships now far from the Gulf, U. S. forces in the Middle East rely on a limited mine‑countermeasure force. The situation underscores ongoing debates about whether modern warships can replace dedicated minesweepers and how the navy plans to protect vital shipping lanes.