The smaller warships are multi-mission vessels that help protect the strike group from overhead, surface and undersea attack while providing additional striking power, mainly in the form of cruise missiles.

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Richard Cresswell then saw his shot strike the woodwork but Blackburn were in control and Allardyce's mission to save them from the drop is up and running.

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For instance, former Navy Secretary Gordon England was launched by the admirals on a hapless mission to kill the Marine version of the F-35 joint strike fighter during the first Bush Administration, only to be shot down in joint deliberations.

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