USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) will not return home for the time being. The aircraft carrier’s mission in Europe began this spring and was extended by the US Department of Defense.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has decided to continue deploying the world’s largest aircraft carrier. The ship, worth more than $13 billion, will remain to perform missions in the eastern Mediterranean.
The aircraft carrier arrived in the region from the Adriatic along with the entire strike group, which includes five Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and a missile cruiser. By the way, the USS Carney (DDG 64) repelled a missile attack off the coast of Yemen the day before.
Initially, it was assumed that the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) would go home and be replaced by USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). However, the US Department of Defense changed its plans due to the war between Hamas and Israel. Now there will be two American aircraft carriers in the region at once.
In addition, the United States decided to move several warships that were in the Middle East closer to Israel. In particular, we are talking about the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Cartel Hall (LSD 50).
