The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in formation with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a photo exercise, Nov. 3, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)
On November 3, the United States Navy announced that the ships and aircraft of two aircraft carrier strike groups (CSG) recently deployed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea had conducted joint exercises.
In a statement, the navy said that the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG 12) and those of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG 2) drilled for three days along with USS Mount Whitney, the Sixth Fleet Command and Control ship, and the Italian Navy frigates ITS Virginio Fasan and ITS Carlo Margottini .
“Operating and training alongside each other demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to seamlessly accomplish multiple missions, deter aggression and support our allies and partners,” said Rear Admiral Erik Eslich, Commander of CSG 12.
More than 11,000 U.S Sailors and naval aviators participated in the three-day joint exercises the eastern Mediterranean Sea, according to the Navy.
“The seamless integration of naval and air commands between us and our partners helps build a theater-wide common tactical picture to make us a more ready and postured force,” said Rear Admiral Marc Miguez, Commander of CSG 2. “Our focus on teamwork and dual-carrier operations provide us the ability to train like we fight.”
The Navy said that Italian ships Fasan and Margottini joined the two carrier strike groups to exercise NATO alliance integration.
“Operating dual carrier strike groups alongside Allies and Partners in a dynamic environment demonstrates our capability and capacity to respond with agility decisively to any contingency,” said Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. “Our presence sends a clear signal about our commitment to deter aggression and promote stability throughout the region.”
The CSG 12 is composed of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, Carrier Air Wing-8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Information Warfare Commander and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy.
The ships of DESRON-2 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage, USS Bulkeley and USS Paul Ignatius.
Ships from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), U.S. Sixth Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), and Italian Navy frigates Carlo Margottini (F 592) and Virginio Fasan (F 591) sail in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 3, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Janae Chambers)
Meanwhile, the CSG 2 is composed of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, the guided-missile destroyers USS Mason and USS Gravely of DESRON-22 and Carrier Air Wing-3 with its nine squadrons.
Ships from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), U.S. Sixth Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), and Italian Navy frigates Carlo Margottini (F 592) and Virginio Fasan (F 591) sail in formation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 3, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maxwell Orlosky)
Shortly after the October 7 Hamas-led surprise attack from the Gaza Strip against Israel, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extended CSG 12 deployment and shifted the strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. He later ordered the deployment of CSG 2 in the same area.
In addition, two ships Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are also deployed in the northern Red Sea along with at least three guided-missile destroyers.
The U.S. military has been providing military aid, including bombs and artillery rounds, to Israel and has a dozen air defense systems and hundreds of troops to the Middle East since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
Moreover, several dozen American commandos were dispatched to Israel, allegedly to help advise on hostage recovery efforts. U.S. combat drones are also operating over Gaza, allegedly to locate hostages.
The U.S. unconditional support for Israel caused a serious backlash in the Middle East. More than two dozen rocket and drone attacks also targeted bases hosting American troops in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks. More escalation in the region is to be expected.
