The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. Photo taken from the website of the United States Central Command (Credit: Centcom)
BEIRUT —The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Force (CSG), deployed by the United States to support Israel in the conflict, crossed the Suez Canal this weekend and is now sailing in the Red Sea. The information was published on Sunday evening on the official X account of the aircraft carrier as well as in a press release on Saturday from the United States Fifth Fleet published on the website of the central command of the American naval forces.
A few days ago, this Eisenhower carrier strike group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command (Centcom) for the Middle East. Its deployment is part of “a growing deployment of the United States in the region,” Centcom said in a previous press release published this weekend.
The "strike group is commanded by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 and comprised of flagship aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with its nine squadrons, and the Information Warfare Commander," they said.
This nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can carry up to nine squadrons of aircrafts, including fighter jets, helicopters, reconnaissance and surveillance aircrafts. The accompanying ships have the mission of defending the aircraft carrier. Although they can also conduct offensive operations, they are not best positioned to serve as a missile defense system for Israel, which already has sophisticated systems in place.
Since Oct. 7th, the US has deployed a substantial naval force to the Middle East. On the fourth day of the war, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest American aircraft carrier and the world's largest ship, arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean. Another command and control ship, the USS Mount Whitney, left its homeport in Gaeta, Italy, on Oct. 18 for the Eastern Mediterranean.
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