US Ford's Newest Aircraft Carrier Launches 'countdown' To Strike Iran
- 21.02.2026, 18:46
Analysts pointed out an important point.
The US Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford passed the Strait of Gibraltar on February 20 and entered the Mediterranean Sea. Photos of the ship during the passage have already appeared in the public domain, writes Defence Express.
With the escalation in the Middle East, analysts regard the passage as a conditional "countdown" to possible strikes on Iran. The minimum time for an aircraft carrier to reach the eastern Mediterranean Sea is estimated at about four days. It is from there that deck aviation is able to operate on targets at a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers - provided that air tankers are used.
In addition, missile destroyers of the carrier strike group can provide anti-missile cover for Israel in case of possible attacks from Iran.
The scenario in which the USS Gerald R. Ford will join another U.S. aircraft carrier - USS Abraham Lincoln, which is already in the Arabian Sea is not excluded. The passage there could take 10 to 14 days.
The Ford has been at sea since June 24, 2025 - more than eight months now. This is its second crossing of the Atlantic to the east during that period. The active use of the ship has caused concern in military circles, because earlier it was planned to return to the base for repairs after operations off the coast of Venezuela. However, Washington decided to continue the deployment due to a shortage of available forces.
Now the U.S. Navy formally has 10 aircraft carriers, but some of them are under repair or maintenance. In particular, the USS Nimitz has completed its last cruise and is being prepared for decommissioning. In fact, the Pentagon can keep about five aircraft carriers and four strike groups deployed at the same time.
An additional sign of possible escalation analysts call the concentration of E-3 AWACS long-range radar detection aircraft in the region, which may indicate preparations for large-scale operations.