The Navy's USS Gerald R Ford carrier, which strikes Houthi militant group, will finally return home for the first time from the Mediterranean back to Norfolk, Virginia, homeport since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.
The US Ford was the newest and largest aircraft carrier, which was sent to stop the Israel-Hamas war from expanding.
US Ford Strike Group Returns Home for First Time
NEWPORT NEWS, VA - APRIL 8: In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departs Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding for builder's sea trials off the U.S. East Coast on April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. The first-of-class ship, the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years, will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies.
In October, the Ford carrier strike group was deployed for the first time in full to the eastern Mediterranean to contribute to the regional deterrence and defense posture.
The group said, "The Department of Defense continually evaluates force posture globally and will retain extensive capability both in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East."
They continued that the DoD would keep using its posture of collective force globally to retain extensive capability both in the Mediterranean and across the Middle East.
According to Business Insider, the deployment of the Ford CSG was repeatedly extended due to the unexpected surge in violence in the Middle East on October 7. The conflict continued with Israel's war on Gaza, and for more than 240 days, the strike group has been at sea.
The defense officials reported that the ships of the Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Ready Group remained in the region with a contingent of 2,000 marines.
Another group of warships was stationed in the Persian Gulf to keep Iran and Hezbollah from further engaging in the conflict.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, as well as the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, all made their way toward the developing crisis as fighting broke out between Israel and Hamas in October.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that the deployment was part of their effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas' attack on Israel.
Later on, the US sent the Dwight D Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group into the Mediterranean and the Middle East for added deterrence.
Furthermore, some of the warships from the Eisenhower and Ford strike groups have been operating in the Red Sea, responding to drone and Houthi missile assaults against commercial vessels.
According to US Central Command, a US destroyer sank three boats of militants in the Read Sea after they were fired upon when returning a distress call from a merchant ship on Sunday.
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US Provides Military Support for Israel
The goal of the naval forces stationed in the area has been to show solidarity for Israel following the attacks carried out by Hamas.
The US has continued to provide other military support for Israel. In October, Austin released a statement about the US government supporting Israel.
Austin said the US government will rapidly provide the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. He added that other air assets will also be deployed to the area.
Related Article: US Sinks Houthi Boats After Red Sea Attack, 10 Rebels Reportedly Killed
