A second American aircraft carrier strike group is headed to the Mediterranean Sea, the Pentagon announced this weekend. The deployment of the USS Eisenhower followed other American military movements in the region.
The Eisenhower has been ordered to deploy from Norfolk, Virginia to the eastern Mediterranean, near the coast of Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the decision was made as “part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’ attack on Israel.”
He said that the strike group would also include a guided-missile cruiser, two guided-missile destroyers, as well as nine aircraft squadrons. The decision came after the USS Gerald R. Ford arrived near Israel last week.
This carrier strike group also includes a number of supporting craft. The United States also positioned other assets in the region. The Pentagon announced the deployment of F-15, F-16 and A-10 aircraft in the region, including to Jordan.
“The increases to U.S. force Posture signal the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war,” Austin said.
A Senior U.S. Defense Official has now Confirmed that Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG-2) led by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and consisting of 1 Ticonderoga-Class Cruiser as well as 3 Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyers, who just left from Norfolk, Virginia today,… pic.twitter.com/DnG8EAxQnj
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 14, 2023
The conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group continued into its second week, following the attacks that killed more than 1,100 Israelis.
A number of American moves also come as Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday. An Israeli diplomat was stabbed at the country’s Beijing embassy.
The State Department said that Blinken had “reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and called for an immediate cessation of Hamas’ attacks and the release of all hostages.”
The State Department also said that the discussion included the “importance of maintaining stability in the region and discouraging other parties from entering the conflict.”
Israel’s foreign office had criticized the Chinese government for what it called a lackluster condemnation of Hamas following the attacks.
