The World : U.S. Beefs Up Gulf Force

Speedboats used by elite U.S. SEAL commando teams have arrived in the Persian Gulf along with two small minesweepers to support the escorting of re-registered Kuwaiti tankers, Pentagon officials said. In addition, they said, the aircraft carrier Ranger and escorting warships arrived in the northern Arabian Sea to relieve the carrier Constellation and provide air cover for U.S. convoys in the gulf. The speedboats operated by the SEALs--which stands for sea, air and land--reached the gulf aboard the U.S. Navy amphibious cargo ship St. Louis.