What military forces does the United States have in the Persian Gulf area, ready to respond to a threat to oil flows?
Currently, the United States supports the Fifth Fleet headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, to exercises operational control over maritime forces in the area around the Strait. It bears responsibility for areas including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean. In addition to the naval base, the U.S. Coast Guard has maintained a presence in the Gulf since November 2002. Though first established as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Coast Guard presence was made permanent in 2004. This force conducts maritime patrols and is responsible for oil platform security in the Persian Gulf.
