11-10-2023 (WASHINGTON) In response to the ongoing turmoil in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its deployment is strategically positioned to act as a deterrent against any attempts to exploit the chaos resulting from the hostilities.
The US Central Command has announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is part of a larger deployment of forces aimed at preventing any escalation of the situation or an expansion of the conflict.
The formidable forces dispatched to the region include the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier itself, complemented by support aircraft. Joining the strike group are the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, and a series of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers: USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt.
General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander at U.S. Central Command, emphasized the significance of these capable forces in conveying a strong deterrence message. He stated, “The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation.”
The decision to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group came after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s announcement on Sunday. Notably, this deployment takes place during the supercarrier’s first full operational mission, which began several months ago and primarily consisted of joint military exercises with partner nations.
This strategic move comes in the wake of a series of attacks by the Hamas militant group in Israel, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of civilian lives and the taking of hostages. In response to these attacks, Israel launched a counteroffensive in Gaza, the territory controlled by Hamas.
Israeli officials have reported the loss of 1,000 citizens as of Tuesday, with Israeli retaliatory strikes resulting in the death of at least 830 residents in Gaza, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health.
In response to the ongoing situation, US defense officials are actively considering the deployment of an additional aircraft carrier to the region, alongside the USS Gerald R. Ford. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and ABC News suggest that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower may also be dispatched to the Mediterranean waters near Israel, further underscoring the US commitment to stabilizing the situation in the region.
