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2h ago

Reports Say USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Group Redirected From South China Sea to Middle East

The reported move positions the nearest available carrier for CENTCOM following Iran’s brief airspace closure.

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Oct. 9, 2022 - The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams the Atlantic Ocean during a simulated straits transit with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) in the Atlantic Ocean, Oct. 9, 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy's commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)
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Overview

  • Defense sources and multiple outlets report the Pentagon has directed the Abraham Lincoln strike group toward the CENTCOM region, with no formal public confirmation from the Department of Defense.
  • At typical cruising speeds, the carrier group’s transit from the South China Sea to the Arabian Sea is expected to take about one week.
  • U.S. carrier presence in the Middle East had been at zero, and the Abraham Lincoln was the closest available strike group after recent operations and drills in the South China Sea.
  • Iran temporarily closed airspace around Tehran for several hours, and some personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were advised to leave as a precaution.
  • Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle cautioned against extending the already lengthy Gerald R. Ford deployment, underscoring maintenance and personnel strain as analysts note thinner coverage in the Indo-Pacific.