According to a US Navy press release issued Oct. 14, this is a scheduled deployment: “The strike group is scheduled to deploy to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility where it will engage with allies and partners in support of maritime statecraft, which encompasses naval diplomacy and national efforts to build comprehensive U.S. and allied maritime power”.
Later that day, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued the following statement, confirmed that the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) is heading to the Eastern Mediterranean:
I have directed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to begin moving to the Eastern Mediterranean. As part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack on Israel, the Strike Group includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Mason (DDG 87), and Carrier Air Wing 3, with nine aircraft squadrons, and embarked headquarters staffs.
The Eisenhower CSG will join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which arrived earlier this week. The Ford CSG includes the USS Normandy, USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. Earlier in the week, the U.S. Air Force announced deployment to the region of squadrons of F-15, F-16 and A-10 fighter aircraft.
The increases to U.S. force posture signal the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and our resolve to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this war.
The Ford CSG was about to call in Southern France on Oct. 9 when it was instructed to move to the Eastern Mediterranean. The move was made to “underscore the United States’ ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people”. As we reported yesterday, the Royal Navy is also deploying a Response Group.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower which set sails yesterday will be joined by guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), who departed Naval Station Norfolk, and by guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), who departed Naval Station Mayport, Oct. 13. The Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591) will integrate with IKECSG during the deployment. IKECSG practiced interchangeability and transfer of authority with Fasan during CSG-4-led composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in July.
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 aboard IKE include the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, the “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.
