In recent news, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is set to return to the U.S. following its extended deployment aimed at protecting Israel, as announced by the Navy on Monday.
What Happened: According to a report by Politico, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has been stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean since the day after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. However, it is now preparing to return home, as per an announcement on Monday.
The carrier and its accompanying warships will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan and its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall.
The U.S. 6th Fleet, the European-based U.S. naval command responsible for ships sailing in the Mediterranean, stated that the carrier will embark on its journey home “in the coming days”.
During its extended deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Ford, along with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, maintained a two-carrier presence in the region due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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The Mesa Verde, a transport dock ship accompanying the Bataan, carries around 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Carter Hall dock landing ship carries amphibious landing craft and their crews. Both these vessels and the Bataan can support rotary aircraft; the Bataan is also equipped to carry and support the Marine Corps’ F-35 vertical takeoff fighter aircraft.
Why It Matters: This transition of power comes at a time when Israel is beginning a partial withdrawal of several thousand troops from the Gaza Strip. This decision was made in response to the economic strain that nearly three months of sustained wartime mobilization inflicted on the country. While this move signifies a significant shift in the ongoing conflict, the Israeli military remains committed to its cause, with the possibility of recalling some soldiers for service in the future.
Image via Shutterstock
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