The San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt — which was expected to soon return to Southern California — will remain in the Middle East in case it is needed to help Israel repel an attack by Iran or other countries, according to the Pentagon.
The Roosevelt is operating in the Gulf of Oman with another San Diego-based carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, which arrived in the area earlier this month, U.S. Central Command said.
Tensions in the region spiked over the weekend when Israel launched a large pre-emptive strike in southern Lebanon in hopes of minimizing a Hezbollah drone and rocket attack, the New York Times reported.
“Given the tensions in the Middle East and given our commitment to continue to support Israel’s defense and deter potential aggression, the secretary did order an extension of Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman.
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The Roosevelt left San Diego in January and is now in its eighth month of service. It appears that the flattop won’t make it back to San Diego’s North Island before October. The Roosevelt’s stay in the Middle East could be substantial, and it typically takes a carrier about three weeks to travel from that area of the world to San Diego Bay.
The Roosevelt and the Lincoln are the flagships of carrier strike groups.The “TR”, as the Roosevelt is known, is carrying aircraft that include a pair of helicopter squadrons from North Island, according to the US Naval Institute. The Lincoln is carrying F-35C strike fighters from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and two helicopter squadrons from North Island.
The two carriers are collectively carrying about 11,000 personnel.
The New York Times contributed to this story.
