Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Report: U.S. Shoulders Steep Price to Protect Merchant Ships in Strait Of Hormuz

Report: U.S. Shoulders Steep Price to Protect Merchant Ships in Strait Of Hormuz

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) transits the Strait of Hormuz on May 7, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Navy pays a steep price keeping an aircraft carrier with escorts on station to deter attacks on oil tanker traffic operating in and around the Persian Gulf as part of the United States’ “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, according to a new report. The ongoing carrier operations in the region are not only pricey for the U.S. Navy but also creates the potential to disrupt energy markets if a confrontation escalates. Read More

Truman Escorts Now Supporting Carrier Lincoln on Extended Deployment

Truman Escorts Now Supporting Carrier Lincoln on Extended Deployment

USS Mason (DDG-87) moors pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Mason, USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), and USS Nitze (DDG 94), returned to their homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on Nov. 5, 2019. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to clarify the Navy cannot immediately deploy an aircraft from the East Coast to replace Lincoln.

Three guided-missile destroyers escorts returned to their Norfolk, Va. homeport on Wednesday while their carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), remains on station just outside the Persian Gulf, a Navy official confirmed to USNI News on Thursday. Read More

Admiral: Carrier Lincoln's Middle East Mission Will Be Extended

Admiral: Carrier Lincoln’s Middle East Mission Will Be Extended

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter attached to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 flies by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during a search and rescue training exercise on Oct. 13, 2019. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group will remain on station in the Middle East while its relief carrier is still undergoing unexpected repairs on the East Coast, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Robert Burke said. Read More

Pentagon Hasn't Extended Carrier Lincoln Deployment as More Troops Headed to Saudi Arabia

Pentagon Hasn’t Extended Carrier Lincoln Deployment as More Troops Headed to Saudi Arabia

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) transits the Arabian Sea on Sept. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo

THE PENTAGON – Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has not extended the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group even in the midst of what the Pentagon described as a buildup of forces in Saudi Arabia to defend U.S. forces and interests against Iranian aggression, a Defense Department spokesman told USNI News. Read More

Two U.S. Warships Enter Persian Gulf Without Incident

Two U.S. Warships Enter Persian Gulf Without Incident

File photos of USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) (top) and USS McFaul (DDG-74)

Two U.S. guided-missile destroyers entered the Persian Gulf on Thursday without incident as the likelihood of an armed confrontation between Iran and the U.S. appears less likely, two U.S. defense officials confirmed to USNI News on Thursday. Read More

Spanish Frigate Drops Out of Lincoln Strike Group Over U.S. Iran Stance

Spanish Frigate Drops Out of Lincoln Strike Group Over U.S. Iran Stance

Àlvaro de Bazàn-class frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104) prepares to conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on May 8, 2019. US Navy Photo

A Spanish guided-missile frigate is temporarily dropping out to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group over the U.S. shift in operations toward Iran, according to statements from Spanish defense officials. Read More