U.S. Naval Force Posture Stays Largely Unchanged Ahead of Iran Ceasefire Signing
Two U.S. aircraft carriers remain on station supporting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea as a ceasefire agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed Friday in Geneva. The blockade of Iranian ports stays in effect until the deal is executed. More than 20 U.S. Navy surface combatants continue operating in the region.
popularmechanics.comTwo U.S. aircraft carriers and more than 20 surface combatants remain positioned to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports, even as a ceasefire agreement is set to be signed Friday in Geneva. The blockade will stay in place until the agreement is formally executed, according to a notice released today by NAVCENT.
U.S. Central Command forces carried out multiple strikes against Iran last week after the shootdown of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter and disabled two additional commercial vessels attempting to bypass the blockade.
Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W.
Bush, carrying seven squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, two squadrons of EA-18G Growlers, and one squadron of F-35C Lightning IIs, continue supporting self-defense strikes and blockade operations. USS Nimitz is completing its homeport shift to Norfolk after operating off the U.S. east coast, while USS Theodore Roosevelt conducted inspections and a live-fire exercise off the west coast.
USS Carl Vinson completed sea trials and returned to San Diego on June 13. In the Western Pacific, USS George Washington is on summer patrol in the Philippine Sea and conducted replenishment operations near Guam.
Two amphibious ready groups remain deployed.
USS Tripoli continues operations in the U.S. Central Command area, and USS Boxer is operating in the South China Sea. The details of any future force drawdown remain unclear pending execution of the memorandum of understanding.
