{"id":86237,"date":"2025-05-02T18:27:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T18:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/05\/02\/pentagon-keeps-2-aircraft-carriers-in-middle-east-for-another-week\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:26:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:26:00","slug":"pentagon-keeps-2-aircraft-carriers-in-middle-east-for-another-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2025\/05\/02\/pentagon-keeps-2-aircraft-carriers-in-middle-east-for-another-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon keeps 2 aircraft carriers in Middle East for another week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth<\/a> has ordered the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to remain in the Middle East for a second time, keeping it there another week so the U.S. can maintain two carrier strike groups<\/a> in the region to battle Yemen-based Houthi rebels, according to a U.S. official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In late March, Hegseth extended the deployment of the Truman and the warships in its group for a month as part of a campaign to increase strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis<\/a>. The official said Hegseth signed the latest order Thursday and it is expected the Truman and its strike group warships will head home to Norfolk, Virginia, after the week is up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, requested that the Truman be extended again, according to officials. The San Diego-based aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its strike group arrived in the region a few weeks ago and are operating in the Gulf of Aden. The Truman, along with two destroyers and a cruiser in its strike group, is in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The officials spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\t