By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Contributor
The Dwight D. Eisenhower, a prominent aircraft carrier, has recently transitioned from the Middle Eastern waters of the U.S. Central Command, where it has been stationed to the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower, also known as the “Ike” aircraft carrier, has recently transitioned from the Middle Eastern waters of U.S. Central Command to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This move came after the carrier and its strike group, including the F/A-18E Super Hornet, had operated in the Middle East since November.
The F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the Ike, is the U.S. Navy’s primary strike and air superiority aircraft with a 20 percent larger airframe, 7,000 lb heavier empty weight, and 15,000 lb heavier maximum weight than the original Hornet. The Super Hornet has recently been enhanced with a significant capability upgrade, making it the first carrier-based aircraft to deploy the SDB-II, also known as the StormBreaker.
This strategic move was executed in conjunction with the guided-missile destroyer, the Gravely, with both vessels navigating through the Suez Canal to reach their new location.
The Eisenhower, along with its carrier strike group, initially embarked on their mission in October, amidst rising tensions and the potential for escalated conflict in the region due to the Israel-Hamas war. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first time a carrier had been operational in CENTCOM since the conclusion of the Afghanistan war in 2021.
Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, praised the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group for its exceptional demonstration of naval power in the U.S. 5th Fleet over the past five months. He emphasized that their transition into the U.S. 6th Fleet is a testament to their global ability to project combat superiority.
During their deployment, the Eisenhower and its strike group were actively involved in operations aimed at neutralizing missiles and drones launched by Houthi militants in Yemen towards military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Navy has recognized these efforts by authorizing combat awards and devices for Red Sea operations.
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The reasons behind the Eiseddddnhower’s move into the Mediterranean, which falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. European Command, have not been disclosed by Navy and Pentagon officials. However, it’s worth noting that the Navy destroyer Carney, which has been engaged in combat with Houthi rebels in the Middle East since October, also recently entered the Mediterranean.
The Eisenhower’s carrier strike group comprises of the destroyers Mason and Gravely, the cruiser Philippine Sea, and Carrier Air Wing 3. The timeline for the group’s return from their extended deployment remains uncertain. The transition of the Ike from the Middle East to the Mediterranean Sea signifies a strategic shift in U.S. naval operations.
In related news, the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman completed a maintenance period in December. The Navy has indicated that the Truman is slated for deployment in early 2024. Lt. Cmdr. Dawn Stankus, a spokeswoman for Naval Air Force Atlantic, confirmed that the Truman is expected to deploy later this year, Currently, the Truman is not certified to deploy.
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a Warrior researcher, writer and analyst who has written many published nonfiction books
