Two US Navy Aircraft Carrier Groups Begin Arabian Sea Patrols

Two US Navy aircraft carrier groups along with a B-52 bomber began “freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce” operations in the Arabian Sea this week, the Navy announced on Thursday.

On Wednesday, US Navy dual carrier strike group consisting of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Harry S. Truman began  joint air wing operations to "provide the combatant commander significant striking power for contingency operations," according to a Navy press release.

The US show of strength is intended to deter Iranian and Yemeni attacks against mostly Saudi Arabian oil shipments out of the Persian Gulf as well as to ensure sanctioned commodities getting in or leaving the two embattled nations.

USS Truman will join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group in the Persian Gulf.

"While we continue to take active steps to prevent and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 across the Middle East, Naval Forces operating in the region have suffered no impacts to readiness. We remain ready and focused to respond forcefully and decisively to any aggression," said Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. "Our two carrier strike groups have been laser-focused on readiness to defeat any threats to security in the region; planning and training specifically against potential threats since June of 2019. While we do not and will not seek conflict at sea, we have never been better postured and more thoroughly prepared to response to it with overwhelming force."