ALBAWABA - In a strategic move amid escalating tensions, the U.S. Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier, the Ford, faced a diversion from its initial operational deployment in response to the unexpected Hamas attack on Gaza settlements.
The attack prompted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to redirect the carrier and five accompanying ships towards the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasizing the mission's focus on deterring Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran from fueling regional conflict.
Originally slated for a return to the Norfolk port in Virginia, the aircraft carrier Ford, alongside its strike group, will now be stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean for a third extended deployment. Despite Ford's departure, U.S. officials assure that significant military capabilities will be maintained in the region, including the deployment of additional destroyers to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the second U.S. Navy strike group, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, initially slated to join the Ford in the Eastern Mediterranean, was redirected to the Arabian Gulf. This decision was driven by the intention to dissuade Iran from further complicating the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Eisenhower remains deployed in the Middle East, stationed in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's eastern coast.
Why Did the United States Withdraw "Gerald Ford" from the Mediterranean?
Speculations arise as the U.S. aircraft carrier "Ford" departs from the Mediterranean, with sources suggesting it could be a manifestation of American discontent with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Two U.S. officials informed ABC News that, in the coming days, the aircraft carrier and its accompanying strike group will return to the Norfolk port in Virginia, as initially planned. This move is intended to facilitate preparations for future deployment operations.
Emphasizing the adherence to the established timeline, an official highlighted that even with Ford's departure, the U.S. will maintain significant military capabilities and flexibility in the region. This includes the potential deployment of additional destroyers in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
