U.S. carrier, warships arrive in S'pore

U.S. carrier, warships arrive in S'pore

SINGAPORE: U.S. aircraft carrier USS Constellation and five warships with about 7,000 sailors arrived in Singapore on Sunday on what could be their last shore leave before heading to the Middle East and possible war.

The Constellation battle group is made up of the 41-year old carrier and its 72 aircraft, two cruisers, two guided missile destroyers and one guided missile frigate.

One supply ship that was in Hong Kong as part of the battle group had separated for another mission.

"They are underway for a regularly scheduled appointments that include operations in the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and also southwest Asia," U.S. navy spokesman Lieutenant Chuck Bell said.

In Iraq, UN arms inspectors on Saturday examined Iraqi military industrial plants and army base to enforce a resolution that gives Baghdad one last chance to disarm or face war.

The Constellation's arrival also came amid fears of further terrorist attacks in Southeast Asia after recent bombings in Bali that killed more than 190 people and Thursday's attacks in Kenya where a suicide bomb killed at least 15 people. -- Reuters