The Pentagon is sending an plane service from the Caribbean to the Center East, US officers stated on Friday, a transfer that might put two carriers within the area as tensions soar between the US and Iran.
The Gerald R. Ford service, the US’ latest and the world’s largest service, has been working within the Caribbean with its escort ships and took half in operations in Venezuela earlier this yr.
Requested why a second plane service was headed to the Center East, US President Donald Trump stated: “In case we do not make a deal, we’ll want it… if we’d like it, we’ll have it prepared.”
One of many officers, who was talking on situation of anonymity, stated the service would take a minimum of per week to achieve the Center East.
The Gerald R. Ford will be a part of the Abraham Lincoln service, a number of guided-missile destroyers, fighter jets and surveillance plane which were moved to the Center East in latest weeks.
The USA most just lately had two plane carriers within the space final yr, when it carried out strikes towards Iranian nuclear websites in June.
With solely 11 plane carriers within the US army’s arsenal, they’re a scarce useful resource and their schedules are normally set properly prematurely.
In a press release, US Southern Command, which oversees US army operations in Latin America, stated it might proceed to remain centered on countering “illicit actions and malignant actors within the Western Hemisphere”.
Trump had stated this week he was contemplating sending a second plane service to the Center East if a deal shouldn’t be reached with Iran.
On Friday, he instructed reporters he thought that talks with Iran would achieve success however warned that “if they don’t seem to be, it may be a foul day for Iran”.
Long deployment
The Ford has essentially been at sea since June 2025. It was supposed to be operating in Europe before it was abruptly moved to the Caribbean in November.
While deployments for carriers usually last nine months, it is not uncommon for them to be extended during periods of increased US military activity.
Navy officials have long warned that long deployments at sea can damage morale on ships.
Officials said the administration had looked at sending a separate carrier, the Bush, to the Middle East, but it was undergoing certification and would take over a month to reach the Middle East.
The Ford, which has a nuclear reactor on board, can hold more than 75 military aircraft, including fighter aircraft like the F-18 Super Hornet jets and the E-2 Hawkeye, which can act as an early warning system.
The Ford also includes sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation.
The supporting ships, such as the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Normandy, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt, include surface-to-air, surface-to-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
