The U.S. Ends the Mission of the Aircraft Carrier 'Ford' in the Middle East After Three Extensions

The United States Navy announced on Monday, December 11, that it is ending the mission of the nuclear aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, the latest U.S. Navy ship with over 4,000 personnel and eight squadrons of aircraft. The U.S. Navy stated, 'Immediately following Hamas's brutal attack on Israel, the order to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean was given to assist in our regional deterrence and defensive posture.' Following Hamas's attacks on October 7, which left at least 1,200 dead and around 240 taken captive, Israel launched comprehensive air, sea, and ground attacks on Gaza, calling for the eradication of this group supported by the Islamic Republic. The United States, Britain, the European Union, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, praised the crew of the Gerald R. Ford during his visit on December 20 for helping to prevent the escalation of the conflict beyond the war between Israel and Hamas. Austin stated, 'This ship and its crew are making history. Sometimes our greatest achievement is preventing evil from occurring. And in times of great tension in the region, all of you have been the main factor in preventing a broader regional conflict.' The U.S. Secretary of Defense emphasized that one of the U.S. goals is to 'ensure that the Gaza crisis does not turn into a regional conflict, and I think we have managed that well.' The Secretary of Defense had extended the Ford's deployment three times in hopes that its presence could deter the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups, especially Hezbollah in Lebanon, from attacking Israel. U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted by drone and missile attacks from Iran-backed militants. The Houthis aligned with the Islamic Republic in Yemen have also disrupted global trade with missile and drone attacks on commercial tankers and cargo ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. Department of Defense stated, 'The Pentagon will continue to use its collective force posture in the region to deter any state or non-state actor from expanding the crisis beyond Gaza.' The Ford will return to its home base in Virginia. More than 20 countries have joined the U.S. coalition to protect ships in the Red Sea. Lloyd Austin during his visit to the Ford aircraft carrier: 'We will not allow the war in Gaza to turn into a regional conflict.' The Pentagon ordered the U.S. aircraft carrier to remain in the Eastern Mediterranean near Israel. The Houthis continue their attacks on ships; 'Maersk' halted passage through the Red Sea for 48 hours. The Pentagon: A U.S. ship and several commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea.