Erik Kurilla, who heads Central Command, said the additional forces “provide unique capabilities, which alongside our partner nations in the region, further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules based international order, and deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region. The fighter aircraft are intended to give air cover for the commercial ships moving through the waterway and increase the military’s visibility in the area, as a deterrent to Iran. Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz early this month, opening fire on one of them. There also have been A-10 attack aircraft there for several weeks in response to the Iranian activity. The deployment comes on the heels of decisions in recent weeks to send the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, and a number of F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the region. Distance: Distance can also play a role in what ammo you are better of using, if you are far enough that the. As destroyers have little to no armor the AP shells usually go right through the ship doing the least amount of damage so HE is better for that situation. It was unclear Thursday if all three ships would continue into the Gulf region. The only time you should HE on battleships is when you are fighting a destroyer. The group left Norfolk, Virginia, earlier this month. Along with the Bataan, the group includes two other warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall.

Ship types on world of warships