The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has moved into the Eastern Mediterranean to generate sustained carrier airpower for Operation Epic Fury against Iran, expanding U.S. strike capacity and tightening regional air and missile defense coverage without relying on vulnerable fixed bases ashore. U.S. Navy aircraft have been launching from the carrier in support of the campaign, which is being executed in parallel with a second carrier strike group operating in the region. The Ford’s arrival places a high-end, sea-based aviation complex close enough to influence the battlespace while remaining maneuverable, protected, and politically scalable. Read more...
USS Gerald R. Ford brings Super Hornets for precision strike and maritime attack, Growlers for electronic attack and SEAD, E-2D Hawkeyes for airborne warning and battle management, MH-60s for ASW, plus escort destroyers with Tomahawks and layered air/missile defense (Picture source: U.S. DoW).