U.S. orders second aircraft carrier to Middle East as Trump pressures Iran

"It comes, too, despite the Navy's top officer, Adm. Daryl Caudle, having publicly warned last month that the Ford and other vessels that compose its carrier strike group are in need of maintenance, saying there would be "some pushback" from him if an extension of the deployment - typically lasting about seven monthsto meet repair schedules- was sought. Any extension also would have an impact on the sailors and their families, he said."

"The Trump administration has extended the deployment of an aircraft carrier already at sea for nearly eight months, sending it and its escort ships to the Middle East as President Donald Trump pressures Iran to make a new nuclear deal, officials said Friday. The USS Gerald R. Ford received the directive while sailing in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make its way across the Atlantic Ocean in the coming days,"

"Spokespeople for the Pentagon and the Navy did not immediately address questions about how the ships' maintenance needs would be met. It appears the Pentagon found no betteralternatives before deciding to send the Ford to the Middle East. Another aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush, was in the middle of an exercise this week and is not expected to be ready for an assignment for some time. Defense officials"

The USS Gerald R. Ford received orders to transit from the Caribbean to the Middle East, extending a deployment underway for nearly eight months. The carrier's crew of about 4,200 sailors was notified, while it remained unclear which escort ships will sail with the carrier or be swapped. The move occurred amid heightened tension with Iran and presidential pressure for a new nuclear deal. Navy leadership warned the carrier strike group needs maintenance and that an extended deployment would strain repair schedules and affect sailors and their families. Pentagon spokespeople did not answer questions about maintenance alternatives, and the USS George H.W. Bush was unavailable due to exercises.

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