US Deploys USS Gerald R. Ford to West Asia, Escalating Pressure on Iran
The extended deployment raises concerns over the USS Gerald R. Ford’s scheduled dry dock period in Virginia, where major upgrades and repairs are planned
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The United States has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to redeploy to West Asia, where it will join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in the Gulf, as the Trump administration intensifies its military presence near Iran.
US officials told The New York Times that the carrier and its escort ships, previously deployed in the Caribbean, are now being redirected to the region and are not expected to return to their home ports until late April or early May.
Carrier Strike Groups Concentrated in the Gulf
According to four US officials, the ship’s crew was informed of the decision on Thursday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, citing a lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.
Under the new orders, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group will operate alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group in the Gulf. The deployment follows recent remarks by US President Donald Trump indicating his intention to send a second aircraft carrier to the region, though the vessel was not identified at the time.
Mission Extended Beyond Original Scope
The USS Gerald R. Ford’s deployment began on June 24, when it departed Norfolk, Virginia, for what was initially planned as a European cruise. The mission was later redirected to the Caribbean as part of the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Venezuela.
During that period, aircraft from the carrier participated in the January 3 attack on Caracas, an operation that resulted in US forces kidnapping Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Maintenance Schedule Under Threat
The strike group’s deployment had already been extended once, with sailors expecting to return home in early March. The latest decision further prolongs the mission.
The extended deployment raises concerns over the USS Gerald R. Ford’s scheduled dry dock period in Virginia, where major upgrades and repairs are planned. Any disruption to the maintenance timeline could affect future operational planning for the carrier.
Iran Monitoring US Movements
Reacting to the growing US military buildup, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, Chief Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy, stated on Thursday that Iran’s naval forces are “precisely” monitoring all hostile movements in the region.
He emphasized Iran’s growing deterrence capabilities and reiterated that maintaining national security and protecting maritime interests remain top priorities for the Islamic Republic. (PW)