U.S. Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Arrives in Region

The U.S. carrier strike group sent toward Israel as a deterrent measure against hostile regional groups arrived Tuesday afternoon, the Pentagon announced. The USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, and its accompanying ships were operating in the Mediterranean when the Biden administration directed them toward the Middle East shortly after Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday.

“The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation,” said Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said in a statement. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, another carrier, which was previously scheduled to travel to the Mediterranean, is expected to leave the U.S. later this week.