Taffy 153.

 This is coolbert:

"I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea." - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Already announced participants in Operation Prosperity Guardian are beginning to get cold feet, even before any real action. Count me out before even counting me in!

"Spain Contradicts U.S.: Not Sure About Joining Coalition in Red Sea Against Houthis"

From BREITBAR | JOEL B. POLLAK | 22 Dec 2023.

"Spain has backed away from a U.S.-led coalition meant to deter the Iranian-backed Houthis from attacks on global shipping near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait at the southern end of the Red Sea."

[....]

"Operation Prosperity Guardian is bringing together multiple countries to include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity."

Consider that Spanish contribution to the Prosperity Guardian mission would have probably been minor to begin with. Nonetheless, they will be missed. Every hand on deck is needed in this case and now.

Consider also that the contribution of Canada is to be limited to staff officers only sans any naval vessels. How about that!

coolbert.