In light of a potential Iranian attack on Israel, Lufthansa has canceled several flights until August 21. No flights will operate between Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil until then. Meanwhile, the United States has also deployed a formidable naval fleet towards the Mediterranean Sea. There are concerns that war might commence tonight.
U.S. Defense Secretary General Lloyd Austin has ordered the guided missile submarine USS Georgia to reach the Middle East promptly. This submarine, armed with 154 land-attack Tomahawk cruise missiles, is rapidly heading towards the Mediterranean. In addition, the third carrier strike group along with USS Abraham Lincoln is also moving in the same direction, where the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is already stationed.
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Source: aajtak
Previously, the US and other countries had attempted to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to avoid escalating conflict during an Iranian attack. However, Iran is now enraged after Israel killed Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh, likely planning a retaliatory attack tonight.
Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemen’s Houthis to Attack Israel Together
Iran is expected to be joined by Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels in its attack on Israel. Therefore, the US is rapidly increasing its presence in the region. Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said General Austin has spoken with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and assured that the US will take all necessary steps to defend Israel and help prevent further unrest.
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USS Abraham Lincoln to Replace Theodore Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier
Pat disclosed that USS Abraham Lincoln, which was in the Asia Pacific, has been ordered to the Mediterranean. It is en route to replace the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group.
Source: aajtak
The Roosevelt will return to the US. Last week, Austin mentioned that Lincoln would reach the Central Command area by the end of the month. However, it’s uncertain when exactly the Georgia submarine and Lincoln aircraft carrier will arrive in the Middle East.
USS Georgia: Armed with Over 150 Tomahawk Missiles
USS Georgia, an Ohio-class submarine, has been serving the US Navy since February 11, 1984. It has a displacement of 19,050 tons, is 560 feet long, and has a beam of 42 feet with a draft of 38 feet. It is powered by a nuclear reactor engine.
Source: aajtak
The submarine is equipped with two geared turbines, an auxiliary motor, and a shaft, enabling it to travel both underwater and on the surface at a top speed of 46 kilometers per hour and to a maximum depth of 800 feet. Its crew includes 15 officers and 140 sailors. The submarine has four 21-inch torpedo tubes and 154 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles, capable of launching in any weather condition, allowing the US to counter any Iranian actions at will.
Why USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier Is Crucial for the US
Since November 11, 1989, USS Abraham Lincoln has been part of the US Navy, based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. It is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and the flagship of the third carrier strike group. With a displacement of 104,000 tons, the 1092-foot carrier houses two nuclear reactors, four steam engines, and four shafts, enabling it to travel at a maximum speed of 56 km/hr and remain operational underwater for 20 to 25 years straight. It can accommodate 3200 sailors and 2480 airmen.
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The carrier is equipped with 14 advanced radars and sensors for surveillance, espionage, search, defense, and target location. It also has a countermeasure suite and a torpedo countermeasure system. The carrier is armed with two Sea Sparrow anti-ship, anti-aircraft, and anti-missile weapon systems, two RIM 116 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and two Phalanx CIWS gun systems that automatically target enemy helicopters, planes, missiles, boats, and jets.
Source: aajtak
The carrier can house up to 90 fixed-wing fighter jets and helicopters, including F/A-18E Super Hornet, F-35C Lightning II, EA-18G Growler jets, E-2D Hawkeye AWACS aircraft, MH-60S Seahawk, and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
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The Third Carrier Strike Group: Comprised of Various Warships, Fighter Jets, and Helicopters
A carrier strike group primarily revolves around an aircraft carrier. The main warship in this group is USS Abraham Lincoln, a part of the US Navy's third fleet since 2004. Its mission is to protect the aircraft carrier and respond to enemies at sea.
This carrier group includes F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-35C Lightning, MH-60R Seahawk, MH-60S Nighthawk helicopters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft, and Grumman C-2 Greyhound transport aircraft.
Source: aajtak
Additionally, it includes five guided missile cruisers capable of advancing quickly and launching missile barrages. These are USS Shiloh, USS Princeton, USS Texas, USS California, and USS Sterett. It also features six destroyer squadron 21 warships, including USS Fitzgerald, USS John Paul Jones, USS Ingersoll, USS John Young, USS Ingraham, and USS Gary. Each of these destroyers is armed with numerous missiles, capable of inflicting significant damage on the enemy. Furthermore, Carrier Air Wing 11 is attached to this group, featuring an array of aerial and surveillance weapons and tools.
