Overview
- The carrier has been ordered to leave the Caribbean, where it supported Operation Southern Spear, with transit to the CENTCOM region expected to take several weeks.
- It will augment regional airpower by bringing its air wing, including four F/A-18 squadrons and one E/A-18G squadron.
- The Pentagon confirmed no additional details, declining to elaborate on the orders or which escort ships will accompany the carrier.
- President Donald Trump said the second carrier would depart soon and framed the move as leverage if negotiations with Tehran do not yield a deal.
- The shift comes as the U.S. reinforces the region with returning F-15s, Vermont Air National Guard F-35s, and additional air defenses at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.