IRIA News

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The U.S. military has confirmed the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, significantly boosting American naval presence in the region amid an ongoing campaign of air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

According to a statement released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the USS Carl Vinson, equipped with advanced F-35C stealth fighter jets, has joined the USS Harry S. Truman to support operations targeting Houthi military infrastructure.

A post shared by CENTCOM confirmed the deployment along with footage of aircraft launching from both carriers, marking the increased tempo of U.S. military activities in the area.

This move comes shortly after the Pentagon announced it was doubling its carrier presence in the region as a response against the heightened threats to international maritime routes posed by the Houthis rebel group of Yemen. The decision also follows a renewed wave of U.S. airstrikes in Yemen, which resumed in March as part of efforts to dismantle the Houthis’ capacity to launch attacks on commercial shipping and military vessels.

Renewed airstrikes in Yemen

Since March 15, the U.S. has carried out strikes on over 100 targets across Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, according to a U.S. defense official. These targets reportedly include command-and-control facilities, weapons manufacturing sites, and storage facilities used by the rebels.

Despite these operations, the Houthis have maintained their campaign, continuing to launch attacks on U.S. naval assets and claiming responsibility for strikes against Israeli targets as well. The group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has been engaged in a protracted conflict with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. Their maritime attacks began in late 2023, with the group citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza.

The Houthi tactics

The Iran-backed armed group has employed tactics to attack and disrupt international shipping through the Red Sea, leading to the rerouting of commercial vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, a much longer and more expensive path that avoids the Suez Canal. The canal is a vital artery for global commerce to cut the cost and time of shipping. Typically, about 12 percent of the world’s shipping traffic passes through the Suez Canal.

The escalation in Houthi attacks has prompted renewed military responses from the U.S., which first launched strikes under the Biden administration. President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year, reiterated Washington’s stance last week, saying, “military action against the rebels would continue until they are no longer a threat to shipping.”

The presence of two carriers in the region marks a significant show of force and underscores the growing complexity of the security environment in the Middle East. With the USS Carl Vinson now operating alongside the USS Harry S. Truman, U.S. forces are better positioned to conduct sustained operations across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea.

CENTCOM emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and the protection of commercial shipping in the wake of ongoing Houthi threats. “Our focus remains on deterring hostile activity and maintaining the security of maritime routes vital to the global economy,” the command stated.

Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high, as the Houthis continue to frame their attacks as part of a broader resistance movement. Their leadership has vowed to persist with operations against what they call “aggressor states,” suggesting that U.S. and Israeli-linked vessels will remain targets as long as the war in Gaza continues.

USS Carl Vinson: One of the largest nuclear-powered warships in the world

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into service in 1982. At over 1,092 feet long and displacing more than 100,000 tons, it is one of the largest warships in the world. Powered by two nuclear reactors, the Carl Vinson can operate continuously for over 20 years without refueling, giving it unmatched endurance and global reach.

The carrier can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots and supports a full complement of more than 5,000 personnel, including both ship crew and air wing members. Its size and capabilities allow it to serve as a mobile airbase, enabling sustained air operations without reliance on land-based infrastructure.

The Carl Vinson typically carries around 60 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including advanced platforms such as F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and E-2D Hawkeye early warning planes. Its flight deck is equipped with steam catapults and arresting gear to support high-tempo operations.

The aircraft carrier’s defensive systems include the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and electronic countermeasures. The ship also features modernized command and control systems, making it a key asset in joint and coalition operations. It plays a central role in U.S. naval power projection and crisis response.

Protecting regional maritime interests

The U.S. response to beef up its naval presence in the region and carry out airstrikes on the Houthi targets signals a determination to protect maritime interests and deter further aggression. The coming weeks are likely to see continued military operations, as both carriers now provide Washington with enhanced capacity to launch air missions and project power across a volatile theater.

The situation remains dynamic, and officials have not ruled out further escalations should the Houthis persist in their campaign. The deployment of dual aircraft carriers in the same region is a rare occurrence and typically reserved for crisis scenarios, underlining the seriousness with which the United States views the current threat.