On 27/3, two US officials informed ABC News that the George H.W. Bush carrier strike group, consisting of the aircraft carrier and three escort destroyers, had left Norfolk earlier this week for a routine deployment to the Middle East. On the same day, CNN, citing a source familiar with the situation, reported that the USS George H.W. Bush would deploy to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. US officials have not yet commented on this development.

This deployment would bring the total number of US carrier strike groups in the Middle East to three. However, it remains uncertain if the USS George H.W. Bush will replace or reinforce the two other carriers currently in the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is operating in the northern Arabian Sea, routinely launching fighter jets for operations targeting Iran. Concurrently, the USS Gerald R. Ford is undergoing repairs in Crete, Greece, after a laundry room fire on 12/3, with its return to sea date not yet determined.

The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean in 10/2025. *Photo: US Navy*

The USS George H.W. Bush is the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Its construction began in 9/2003, it was launched in 10/2006, and commissioned in 1/2009. The ship features a displacement of over 100,000 tons, a top speed of 56 km/h, and can operate continuously for 20 to 25 years before requiring refueling.

The carrier can accommodate 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Its air wing is equipped with F/A-18E/F multirole fighter jets, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, E-2 early warning aircraft, and SH-60 utility helicopters.

By Nguyen Tien (According to CNN, AFP, AP)