The United States continues to expand its military presence in the Middle East amid rising regional tensions. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has arrived at the Greek island of Crete as part of a strategic deployment aimed at monitoring developments involving Iran.
The massive vessel is expected to remain anchored at the Port of Souda until Friday. Currently, the U.S. military arsenal in the region includes the USS Abraham Lincoln alongside 23 combat ships effectively forming a maritime perimeter around Iran. These destroyers, equipped with advanced radar systems and torpedo launchers, play a critical role in air, underwater, and ballistic missile defense operations, serving as the primary strike force ensuring the security of carrier strike groups.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is operated by a crew of 4,500 personnel. Powered by nuclear energy, it can operate for extended periods without refueling. Weighing approximately 100,000 tons, the carrier is capable of transporting up to 75 fighter jets on its deck.
This deployment comes as US President Donald Trump emphasizes the importance of maintaining stability and protecting maritime interests in the Middle East. The presence of such advanced naval assets serves as a deterrent against potential escalations in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. Historically, the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet has utilized the strategic location of Crete to project power across the Mediterranean and provide rapid response capabilities to the Middle East, reinforcing Washington's commitment to its regional allies and global energy security.
