The U.S. Navy could soon position three aircraft carriers within operational range of Iran as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is already operating in the Red Sea after transiting the Suez Canal, while the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is conducting operations tied to the growing confrontation with Iran. A third carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, has completed workups along the U.S. East Coast and may deploy to the region in the coming weeks. If sent, the deployment would place three U.S. carrier strike groups within reach of Iranian territory, dramatically increasing American naval aviation capacity in the region. Read full Naval News at this link … An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 lands on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), during flight operations in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, ...
Italy is deploying the FREMM frigate Federico Martinengo to waters off Cyprus to strengthen the island’s air and maritime defense posture after the drone strike on Britain’s RAF Akrotiri base pushed the eastern Mediterranean closer to direct spillover from the Iran crisis. Rome’s decision, first outlined by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in parliament and then followed by the ship’s departure from Taranto, places an Italian surface combatant inside a wider European security screen being assembled with Spain, France, and the Netherlands to deter further attacks and protect a European Union member on the conflict’s edge. Read more... Italian Navy FREMM frigate Federico Martinengo deploys toward Cyprus to strengthen air and maritime defense against possible drone threats linked to the regional crisis (Picture source: Italian Navy). from World Defence News https://ift.tt/XAFJT8E via IFTTT