Aircraft Carrier "Gerald Ford" Leaves the Middle East.. Washington Keeps 20 Warships to Counter Iran
Remaining Force: Two Aircraft Carriers and 18 Combat Ships
Despite the departure of "Ford", the Pentagon confirmed that the American military presence in the Middle East remains substantial and capable of executing a "deterrence and strike" strategy, as 20 warships are still stationed in the region, led by the dual presence of aircraft carriers:
- "USS Abraham Lincoln".
- "USS George H.W. Bush". This retention of the strike force aligns with President Trump's statements today regarding tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz and continuing "economic rage" operations.
A History of Confrontations and Exceptional Missions
"Ford" leaves the region after a controversial operational record for 2026, where its missions were not limited to striking Iranian targets but also previously participated in specialized operations in the Caribbean that included:
- Intercepting oil tankers under sanctions.
- Executing strikes against drug smuggling boats.
- Playing a pivotal role in the operation that led to the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
"Malfunctions and Fires": Technical Challenges Aboard
Despite its technical superiority, "Gerald Ford" faced a series of internal incidents that made headlines; on March 12, a fire broke out in the "laundry room" resulting in injuries to sailors and damage to hundreds of beds. Technical malfunctions also plagued the sewage system and toilets aboard the carrier, raising questions about the sustainability of keeping these giant ships at sea for periods exceeding 10 months without comprehensive maintenance.
Implications of Withdrawal in Early May
Military analysts believe that relocating "Ford" to the European Command area may be a strategic step to rebalance against Russian movements in the Mediterranean and Syria, especially after Moscow's increasing oil influence in Damascus. At the same time, Washington ensures through "Lincoln" and "Bush" the continuation of direct military pressure on Tehran and secures the flow of munitions, which have reached unprecedented levels as of this Friday.
