Summary Two aircraft carrier strike groups are staying in the Middle East to deter aggression and support Israel against threats from Iran. The capability of AEGIS ships and airpower is unmatched and has proven effective in combating Houthi rebels. The carrier air wings include F-35Cs, F/A-18s, and other aircraft capable of warfighting, assistance, and deterrence in the Middle East.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently decided to have two aircraft carrier strike groups stay in the Middle East. For the United States, that means placing no less than eight squadrons of strike-fighters including one of F-35Cs, two squadrons of seven airborne electronic attack jets in the Boeing EA-18G Growler , four squadrons of H-60 maritime helicopters plus AEGIS radar and air defense warships in the Middle East. “Intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the Middle East” As Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder shared at an August 27 press conference, US Secretary of Defense Austin reassured his Israeli counterpart of, “The United States's ironclad resolve to support Israel's defense against threats from Iran and its regional partners and proxies.
As many of you are tracking, in support of this, the Secretary ordered our two carrier strike groups, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, to remain in the region. As we have been from the start, we remain intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the Middle East while also remaining focused on securing a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring all of the hostages home and to end the war in Gaza.” The ability of an aircraft carrier strike group to project airpower for warfighting, humanitarian assistance and deterrence is unsurpassed.
Below one can see all the ships in the Persian Gulf: The AEGIS Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the fleet have the proven capability to intercept cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Already, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group made a significant impact against the Houthis.
What can an aircraft carrier strike group do to deter aggression? Fair question. The arguably best way to respond to this question is to share former F-14 Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), public affairs officer and current YouTuber Ward Carroll interview the commander of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group at Tailhook about their exploits; Additionally, as Rear Admiral Marc Miguez, US Navy wrote in the July 2024 US Naval Institute Proceedings , “Our aircraft have expended more than 80 air-to-air missiles and released more than 350 air-to-surface weapons, and our ships have launched more than 100 Standard and Tomahawk missiles.
This is all against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who are menacing civilian merchant shipping, including using antiship ballistic missiles against these noncombatants. U.S.
and coalition vessels also are being targeted. We have to be right 100 percent of the time, but the Houthis have to be right only once.” That’s what just one US carrier strike group did against malicious piracy.
But what airpower is on these two carrier strike groups now? What airpower is in each Carrier Air Wing? Below is a list of the squadrons on tap for each carrier air wing: One may want to refer to our guide for details about each aircraft. A guide into the significant aircraft of the United States Navy, from fighters to transports to surveillance aircraft. Please also note at least ten (10) F-35 Lightning II (Panthers) are on scene.
As covered by Simple Flying , the F-35C is the world's most capable fighter jet . Carrier Air Wing 9, USS Abraham Lincoln: HSC-14 Chargers, with eight MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters HSM-71 Raptors, with twelve MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters and pictured below VAQ-133 Wizards, with seven EA-18G Growler (aka “Grizzly”) Airborne Electronic Attack jets as pictured below making a sunset take-off VAW-117 Wallbangers, with four E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control turboprops VFA-14 Tophatters, with 10-12 F/A-18E Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters, with one pictured below about to land VFA-41 Black Aces, with 10-12 F/A-18F Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters, with one pictured below about to launch VFA-151 Vigilanties, with 10-12 F/A-18E Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters VMFA- 314 Black Knights, with 10 F-35C Lightning II (aka “Panther”) Low Observable Fifth Generation Strike Fighters, as pictured below Carrier Air Wing 11, USS Theodore Roosevelt HSC-8 Eightballers, with eight MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters HSM-75 Wolf Pack, with twelve MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters with two pictured below VAQ-37 Rooks, with seven EA-18G Growler (aka “Grizzly”) Airborne Electronic Attack jets VAW-115 Liberty Bells, with four E-2D Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, pictured below VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet, with 10-12 F/A-18E Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters and pictured below VFA-34 Blue Blasters, with 10-12 F/A-18E Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters VFA-154 Black Knights, with 10-12 F/A-18F Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters, also pictured below VFA-211 Fighting Checkmates, with 10-12 F/A-18E Super Hornet (aka “Rhino”) Strike Fighters VRC-40 Providers, with an unknown amount of C-2A Greyhound carrier-capable turboprop transports – likely two to four. The squadron may transition to CMV-22 Ospreys during the deployment.
A note about the Sea Hawk helicopter squadrons Worth noting that HSC-14’s mission is, “HSC-14 provides all-weather, combat-ready aircraft and crew to conduct anti-surface warfare, personnel recovery, special warfare support, search and rescue, and logistics for Carrier Air Wing NINE in support of Carrier Strike Group THREE.” The same is for HSC-8 Eightballers pictured below. Both squadrons’ MH-60S Sea Hawks have their tailwheel further back like UH-60 Black Hawks do.
Meanwhile, the HSM-71 Raptors and HSM 75 Wolf Pack are focused on sea combat operations. As such, their tailwheel is under the rear fuselage to support landing on destroyers and other small ships. Deploying with new simulators also The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) also announced in an August 20 statement that new “Simulators at Sea” are installed on the USS Abraham Lincoln to help with training while deployed.
The new simulators, as pictured below, allow US Naval Aviators to retain skills. As NAWCAD Joint Simulation Environment Director Blaine Summers explained, “Naval aviators train extensively working up to deployment, but those skills begin to atrophy the day they pull out of port. This was a capability gap we had to plug with a fully integrated carrier air wing solution—one we’re ready to scale across the Navy’s fleet of carriers.
” With simulators on board, the capability gap will shrink, especially as different squadrons can now simulate operations together. This project is a spinoff of previous efforts to put F-35C simulators on the USS Carl Vinson . As reported in US Naval Institute News on August 28, the F-35C pilots would use the simulators on non-fly days to remain proficient.
Bottom line The US Defense Department is putting the most advanced military aviation technology in the Middle East with new training technology while making no secret the intent of the deployment to deter violence. If deterrence fails, the sensors and precision weapons operated and maintained by highly trained humans supported by many will overwhelm any adversary..
