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US Forces Redirect 99 Ships as MH-60R Sea Hawk Helicopters Enforce Iran Blockade in Strait of Hormuz
Army Recognition reports that US forces redirected 99 ships while enforcing a selective blockade on traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz. MH-60R helicopters operating from ships including USS Boxer and USS Rafael Peralta use AN/APS-153 radar, AAS-44C electro-optical sensors, Link 16, and Hawklink to identify vessels beyond surface-radar range and relay tracks for interception. CENTCOM’s July 13 order allowed unrelated regional traffic to continue. The report says forces disabled the tanker Belma with Hellfire missiles on July 15 after repeated warnings, illustrating an escalation path from identification and diversion to boarding or precision attack.