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As the world’s eyes were drawn to Venezuela and the US’ daring capture of President Nicolas Maduro, military aircraft at bases across America were quietly preparing. Their destination was the UK, but their mission was something very different and something that had evaded the US Coast Guard only around two weeks earlier. Before long we saw Russian president Vladimir Putin humiliated – but not without a little help from across the pond.
One by one, a fleet of US Air Force jets began touching down at three RAF bases — operated by the US — in Suffolk and Gloucestershire. At least 14 C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, believed to be carrying several helicopters, and two powerful AC-130J Ghostrider gunships arrived since Saturday as part of the surge as rumours began to swell on social media. There was speculation their arrival could be linked to potential action on Iran, but eventually the reason became clear; they were here to intercept and seize the Marinera, a sanctioned Venezuelan-linked oil tanker which had evaded a US blockade last month.
The alleged “shadow fleet” ship, flying under a Russian flag, was in waters between Iceland and Scotland when America decided to launch the surprise operation, supported by British forces.
Cynics will argue the US using the UK as effectively a giant aircraft carrier and helping hand is just a matter of convenience.
Others, however, will say this points to how the Trump administration continues to see Britain as its closest ally, despite heightened tensions between the White House and NATO over Greenland.
Rear Admiral (retired) Mike Hewitt, a former US Navy officer and Pentagon official, said the seizure likely couldn’t have happened without British support.
He told the Express: “I think despite some of the rhetoric and some of the differences we may have politically, or even ideologically, the one thing that I think is indicative of the relationship between the US and the UK is our military-to-military commitment to each other.
“It is indispensable, it is long-lasting and it survives the differences in our policymakers.
“The UK is our most important NATO ally and particularly in the North Atlantic.
“Without the UK, we would have a very tough time doing things just like what we did today with that sanctioned ship.”
US officials said another Venezuela-linked tanker was seized near the Caribbean as part of a "meticulously coordinated" operation on Wednesday.
Rear Admiral Hewitt said he expects to see a ramping up of action against alleged ghost fleet tankers, with the UK potentially taking on a greater role.
“I think you're going to see a more robust commitment to stopping these sanctioned vessels,” he said.
“By some indications, there's over 300 large tankers that are operating within what they call the shadow fleet, moving oil around.
“If you're going to sanction a country like Russia and hope that has an impact on the war in Ukraine, then the only way to do it is to actually intercept and stop the vessels themselves.”
He added: “I'm very excited to see that we're actually exercising the very sanctions that we put into place several years ago.”
The Marinera is accused of carrying oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela against Western sanctions.
It was not carrying oil at the time of its interdiction, it is believed.
Reports suggest Vladimir Putin had deployed navy assets to escort the oil tanker, but US forces were seemingly able to board it with little issue.
The US Coast Guard previously attempted to board the vessel in the Caribbean last month after obtaining a warrant over alleged violations of US sanctions.
The operation failed when the ship, formerly the Bella 1, suddenly changed course, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia.
The crew also painted a Russian flag on the ship’s side, reports say.
It came after Mr Trump ordered a “complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
A Royal Navy support ship, RFA Tideforce, and RAF surveillance planes supported the US operation to seize the Marinera.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the tanker was on its way to Russia when it was stopped.
He said: “This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine.
“The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability – making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.
“The US is the UK’s closest defence and security partner. The depth of our defence relationship with the US is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice.”
The Ministry of Defence said the ship had initially flown a false flag and is assessed to have been involved in illegal activity linked to Hezbollah.
English (US) · 