United States Sends Second Carrier Strike Group to Mediterranean Amid Gaza Conflict
The United States has announced that they are sending a second carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean as a deterrence measure amid concerns of foreign aggression in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The USS Gerald Ford was the first carrier strike group to head to the region, and now the USS Eisenhower will join them following Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s announcement.
The USS Eisenhower will join an elite group of U.S. defense forces, including the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, guided missile destroyers USS Gavel and USS Mason, and nine aircraft squadrons. The USS Ford aircraft carrier, equipped with eight squadrons of attack and support aircraft, along with the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, and guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt.
A carrier strike group, or CSG, is a principal element of U.S. power and holds enough firepower to rival the air forces of entire nations. The US carrier strike group typically operates with approximately 7,500 personnel on board. Its mission is to achieve and sustain air, sea, and undersea control, respond to crises, and protect United States’ interests anywhere and anytime.
The carrier strike group headed to the Mediterranean Sea consists of powerful, mobile, flexible, independent, and sustainable assets. It includes a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, replenishment ship, cruiser, destroyers, and a submarine. Additionally, the CSG will house various types of aircraft such as strike fighters, Growlers, Hawkeyes, Greyhounds, and helicopters.
The United States currently maintains eleven carrier strike groups, with ten based in the United States and one based in Japan. These groups are capable of striking targets from 1,000 miles away and can defend against air, missile, and submarine attacks, while maintaining maritime security over hundreds of square miles.
Aircraft carriers have long been used to project strength and deter hostile forces. The deployment of carrier strike groups serves as a demonstration of the United States’ commitment to stability in the region and its support for Israel.
In total, there are 21 aircraft carriers operated by 14 different navies worldwide as of October 2023. The United States possesses eleven of these carriers, while countries like China, India, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia each have two.
With the deployment of the second carrier strike group, the United States aims to ensure the protection of its interests and help deter foreign aggression in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.