U.S
By Bernard Moerdler,
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush has returned to the Arabian Sea following a five-day port visit to Phuket, Thailand, restoring a two-carrier American presence in the region.
The nuclear-powered carrier departed Thailand on October 9 after its first port visit since leaving Norfolk, Virginia, on March 31. It had spent more than five months operating in the Middle East, supporting U.S. military operations against Iran and the American naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The USS George H.W. Bush is now operating alongside the USS George Washington, which arrived in August to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln following its extended deployment.
The Bush carries Carrier Air Wing 7, including F/A-18 Super Hornet strike aircraft, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, and airborne early-warning aircraft. Together with its accompanying guided-missile destroyers, the carrier strike group provides additional offensive and defensive capabilities for American operations in the region.
The return comes amid continuing tensions with Iran and an ongoing American military buildup. The Pentagon has also dispatched the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group toward the Middle East, potentially bringing the number of American aircraft carriers operating in the region to three later this month.
Topics: Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Missile Defense & Alerts
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.