The Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier battle group transits the Pacific in 2020. (Jason Isaacs/US Navy)
WASHINGTON — The deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East has been extended after heavy shelling by Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah over the weekend, the Pentagon said Monday.
“Given tensions in the Middle East and our commitment to continue supporting Israel's defense and deterring potential aggression, the Secretary has ordered an extension of the Theodore Roosevelt carrier battle group,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman.
The Roosevelt and her battle group will remain in the Middle East, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and her escorts. This is the second time the United States has deployed two carrier battle groups to the region.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on social media platform X on Sunday that two strike groups would be deployed to the region. Ryder said Monday the decision was made “over the weekend,” but declined to say whether the decision was made before or after tensions between Israel and Hezbollah peaked on Saturday.
It is unclear how long the Roosevelt mission, which has already been in operation for eight months, will be extended. Neither Austin nor Ryder have given a timetable for the extension. In the past, carrier missions have been extended in 30-day increments.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that we meet our national security obligations while managing the limited resources available to us around the world,” Ryder said.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on August 10, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (US Navy)
Israel carried out pre-emptive strikes on Saturday, with Hezbollah using drones and missiles, following weeks of negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal to at least temporarily end the 10-month war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The US provided Israel with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support over the weekend to track incoming Hezbollah attacks, Ryder said. However, the US did not take part in the firefights. Ryder said Israel was able to defend itself with its own capabilities.
“If this becomes necessary, we are certainly ready to get started,” he said.
The Roosevelt deployed from San Diego in January for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. The aircraft carrier and its battle group were diverted to the Middle East in late June to relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Also in the region are the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp and its group.
“We remain well positioned to support Israel's defense against any aggression from Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah or other actors, as we have done from the beginning,” Ryder said.
