US Says Largest Aircraft Carrier In Eastern Mediterranean, Second Underway To Help Israel
By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos
TAMPA/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – America’s USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and its accompanying ships, some of which have nuclear capabilities, have arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to support Israel, Worthy News learned.
The ‘USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’ is also to deter regional powers from joining the war between Hamas and Israel, the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) said Tuesday.
Additionally, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its accompanying ships are expected to reach the Middle East in roughly two weeks, according to defense officials.
Speaking about the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, USCENTCOM said they seek “to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war.”
General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of USCENTCOM, added that 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 forces already in the area “include the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, with its eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft, and the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy,” USCENTCOM explained.
Additionally, “the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt.”
Efforts to “increase U.S. posture continue, including the rapid movement into the theater of U.S. Air Force F-15s, F-16s, and A-10s to augment existing fighter squadrons in the region,” USCENTCOM stressed.
The American involvement comes amid broader concerns that the war between Israel and militants may encourage that other countries backing Hamas, including Iran, will get involved, targeting Israel.
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