Entering the second week of crisis in Israel, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) sent a second aircraft carrier battle group to the Mediterranean. This time the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is moving to the region, where it will the USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) group.
In addition to the ships, the Pentagon also deployed more aircraft to the region. Although the US has strengthened its for Israel (including sending weapons and ammunition), none of the combat assets are expected to the fighting in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the actions are “part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts to escalate this war following the Hamas attack on Israel.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has directed the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group the USS Ford Carrier Strike Group which arrived earlier this week https://t.co/9be1sWBKA7 pic.twitter.com/TdrfrHMXly
- US Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 15, 2023
The CVN-69 left the port of Norfolk last Friday (13), already destined for the eastern Mediterranean, where it will coordinate aero-naval operations with the largest aircraft carrier in the USA, the Gerald Ford, which is already in the region. It is accompanied by a guided missile cruiser and two guided missile destroyers.
“The arrival of these highly capable forces in the region is a strong sign of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation.”, said General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of the US Central Command. On the same Friday, US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighters arrived in the Middle East to reinforce the US presence near Israel.
RAF Lakenheath's 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility, October 13, to bolster the US posture and enhance air operations throughout the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/u8oFMXweYB
ADVERTISING - US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) October 14, 2023
As the US continues to move assets to the Middle East, the war between Israel and Hamas appears to only be escalating. At the same time as carrying out several air strikes daily, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing a major land incursion.
To the north, Hezbollah, a Shiite Islamic organization in Lebanon, also talks about taking action against Israel. The two terrorist groups are ed by Iran, Israel's former enemy, which has publicly ed the wave of attacks.
