The changing of the guard: the third aircraft carrier off the coast of Iran.
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego on September 27 and is headed to West Asia (Middle East). Several publications are calling for an arrival today, November 15, and officials at WSJ publications are talking about "late November". The Navy has not announced an official date.
The composition of the aircraft carrier group: air wing "CVW-11", the cruiser "Chosin" and the destroyers "Paul Hamilton" and "Dektor". Together with the Makin Island landing group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Force, it is about 10,000 people.
There are already more than 50,000 American soldiers in the area. The aircraft carriers Bush and George Washington are located nearby.
February and November: What's the difference?
Preparing for the first attack:
There were two aircraft carriers: the Lincoln arrived on January 26, the Ford shipped on February 13.
The main emphasis was on aviation: more than 120 planes since the beginning of February and 12 F-22 planes in Israel since February 24.
Trump gave Iran a 10-day deadline on February 20, and the US and Israel launched attacks on February 28.
Part of the preparation was a disguise: according to the Israeli media, the F-22 leak was used in a disinformation operation.
November 2026, click on the background of the siege and the deadlock:.
There was already a war. Now there are disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and bridging Qatar, but the emphasis has shifted to the navy: 3 aircraft carriers provide up to 144 attack fighters + Tomahawk on escort ships.
The marines can theoretically seize the islands at the entrance to the strait, but the political context is different: after the Republicans lost the midterm elections, Trump has about two months before the new Congress begins.
Resources are limited: the cruise missile stockpile is dwindling, 45 Reapers have been lost, and the current missions could last about 11 months.
What is the third aircraft carrier talking about?
The Roosevelt is scheduled to replace the George Washington, and it is unclear how long all three ships will be together.
An important factor is the pressure on the negotiations.