What is the latest news on the USS Eisenhower?
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has been in the news recently due to its extended deployment in the Red Sea. The carrier, along with its strike group, has been active in intercepting and targeting Houthi munitions and drones in response to attacks on commercial shipping lanes around Yemen. This deployment, which began in October 2023, has now been extended for an additional month due to ongoing threats from the Houthis (
USNI News) (
Task & Purpose).
The Eisenhower carrier strike group includes the destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, as well as the cruiser USS Philippine Sea. It comprises approximately 6,000 sailors. The strike group has been conducting flight operations and defensive measures to ensure maritime security in the region (
Task & Purpose).
Additionally, the USS Eisenhower moved north through the Red Sea towards Israel as a show of deterrence against potential threats from Iran, highlighting its strategic importance in maintaining stability and security in the region (
The Times of Israel).
What other naval forces are in the Red Sea currently?
Currently, the Red Sea hosts a significant presence of naval forces from multiple countries due to ongoing regional tensions and the need to secure maritime routes. The United States leads a multinational task force known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, which aims to protect merchant ships from threats such as drones and missiles launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. This operation includes contributions from the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain (
Breaking Defense) (
Defense News).
The US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) also operate in the region, specifically through Commander Task Force 153 (CTF-153), which focuses on maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden (
Seapower). This task force comprises ships from various member nations and aims to counter activities like human trafficking and smuggling, as well as threats from Houthi missile attacks.
Additionally, the European Union has launched its own mission, EUNAVFOR Operation Aspides, to safeguard maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea (
Breaking Defense).
Other notable naval forces in the Red Sea include the Israeli Navy, which has conducted submarine exercises in the area (
The Times of Israel), and contributions from countries such as Italy and France, which have deployed multimission frigates to support these international security efforts (
Defense News).