15-10-2023 (WASHINGTON) In response to concerns over Iran or Hezbollah potentially entering the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Pentagon has ordered a second aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean near Israel, according to U.S. officials.
Sources from the United States disclosed that the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group will join the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group, which recently arrived in the region and is currently positioned in international waters off the coast of Israel.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the deployment, stating, “I have directed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to begin moving to the Eastern Mediterranean. As part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack on Israel.”
In recent statements, senior U.S. officials have emphasized that the presence of the USS Ford carrier strike group in the eastern Mediterranean, along with the addition of more U.S. Air Force fighter jets to the region, aims to demonstrate unwavering U.S. support for Israel and act as a deterrent to Iran and Hezbollah, dissuading them from involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. “These posture increases were intended to serve as an unequivocal demonstration in deed and not only in words of U.S. support for Israel’s defense and serve as a deterrent signal to Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and any other proxy across the region who might be considering exploiting the current situation to escalate conflict,” said a senior U.S. defense official on Monday. “Those adversaries should think twice.”
The deployment of the USS Eisenhower alongside the USS Ford will further amplify the show of force, reinforcing the message of deterrence. Additionally, the Pentagon is reportedly considering the deployment of the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship closer to Israel to provide additional support if necessary, as revealed by a third U.S. official. CNN initially reported the consideration of the ship and its rotary aircraft deployment to the Middle East.
The Eisenhower strike group departed from Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday, commencing its previously scheduled deployment, which would have taken it to the Middle East via the Mediterranean Sea for prearranged exercises within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.
Speculation arose regarding the potential deployment of the Eisenhower to the eastern Mediterranean to join the USS Ford. However, the Pentagon’s statement merely indicated that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would “continue to review both the Eisenhower and Ford’s deployment plans as he considers the appropriate balance of maritime capability across theaters in support of national security priorities.”
The Eisenhower strike group comprises the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), and the guided missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG-58), USS Mason (DDG-87), and USS Gravely (DDG-107).
Meanwhile, the USS Ford strike group arrived in the eastern Mediterranean waters on Tuesday. Alongside the carrier, it includes the cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).
