US sends USS Theodore Roosevelt to Middle East for 7 months
The carrier arrives as the US remains at war with Iran since February and is set to replace USS George Washington.
The United States is deploying the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Middle East for a more than seven-month deployment amid the war against Iran that has continued since February. According to the US Naval Institute, the ship, with about 5,000 personnel, is preparing joint operations with escort ships and Carrier Air Wing 11. US Navy Chief of Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman said the carrier is scheduled to replace USS George Washington, which entered the area of operations for the US 5th Fleet last week. In the same region, USS George H.W. Bush is also still operating. Caudle acknowledged the war with Iran is straining the US fleet, after the previous long deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln raised concerns about sailors' mental health and ship logistics.