In a Saturday statement, US Department of Defense officials said additional troops have been given prepare to deploy orders amid the Israel-Hamas war.
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40 éve nem volt ekkora erőkoncentráció a Földközin...
The US Navy has assembled a rarely-seen concentration of power in the Eastern Mediterranean. But its mission to Israel may come with costs.
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CEPA
INSIGHTS & ANALYSIS
ARTICLE
EUROPE'S EDGE
Huge US Naval Force Off Israel Comes With Costs
By James Foggo and Steven Wills
October 20, 2023
Former US Sixth Fleet commander Admiral James Foggo and Dr. Steven Wills of the Center for Marine Strategy detail the gathering US naval deployment, and warn of the strains on the navy.
Photo: The pride of the American Navy, the most modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" sailed into Split this morning. The huge ship, which attracts the attention of the people of Split and tourists, is the largest warship in history. It is more than 330 meters long and 76 meters high, like a solid skyscraper, with 25 decks. Construction cost 12.8 billion dollars, and another 4.7 billion was spent on research and development. It can carry 75 aircraft. The crew, including aviation personnel, consists of 4,500 people, in Split, Croatia, on June 26, 2023. Credit: Zvonimir Barisin/PIXSELL/Sipa USA
The US Navy has assembled one of the greatest concentrations of power in the Eastern Mediterranean in 40 years. Any assumption that the large and growing US naval force in the region is simply there as a demonstration force, unlikely to be used, was dispelled on October 19 when the destroyer USS Carney shot down cruise missiles and drones in the northern Red Sea. The USN said the munitions had been launched from Yemen and were potentially aimed at Israel.
The US government has now deployed a very extensive range of naval force in the Eastern Mediterranean following the murderous Hamas attack against Israel on October 7.
The force will be composed of two carrier strike groups centered around the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Dwight Eisenhower, the latter currently on its way to the region. The former had been scheduled to end its six-month deployment, but this has now been extended for an indeterminate period. Together, they have nine escorts.
In addition, the Biden administration is moving the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the area. It has also been reported that the command ship USS Mount Whitney has deployed in support of Eastern Mediterranean operations, which suggests that the US might form a joint task force in the region with a senior officer taking command of that effort at sea on the command ship.