The Nimitz-class supercarrier, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), has set sail from the South China Sea towards the Middle East. As tensions escalate with Iran, the Pentagon has redirected this formidable Carrier Strike Group. With the might of an entire army, it stands as a single, devastating force.
What Constitutes the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group?
This naval battle group of the US Navy centers around an aircraft carrier. Part of Carrier Strike Group 3 (CSG-3), it includes Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and is led by the flagship Abraham Lincoln. Ships from Destroyer Squadron 21 are also integral to the group.
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What Vessels and Submarines Are Included?
Aircraft Carrier: 1 - USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a nuclear-powered behemoth weighing over 100,000 tons, ranking among the world's largest warships.
Guided-Missile Destroyers (Arleigh Burke-class): 3-4, including the USS Michael Murphy, USS Spruance, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., equipped for air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and land attacks.
Cruiser: Occasionally 1 (Ticonderoga-class), though currently emphasizing destroyers.
Submarines: 1-2 nuclear attack submarines (Virginia or Los Angeles-class), skilled in tracking enemy ships and submarines, equipped to launch Tomahawk missiles.
Support Ships: 1-2 (such as the USNS Cesar Chavez for ammunition, oil, and supply duties).
In Total:
1 Carrier + 3-6 Surface Combatants + 1-2 Submarines + Support Ships
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How Many Personnel and Aircraft?
Personnel:
5,000 to 6,000 on the carrier alone (crew + air wing), with 7,000 to 8,000 total troops and marines in the entire group.
Source: aajtak
Aircraft: Carrier Air Wing Nine encompasses 65-70 aircraft
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (Multi-role fighter)
F-35C Lightning II (Stealth fighter, of Squad VMFA-314)
E-2D Hawkeye (AWACS, surveillance)
MH-60R/S Seahawk (Helicopter, for anti-submarine operations and search-and-rescue missions)
EA-18G Growler (Electronic warfare)
These aircraft perform reconnaissance, defense, and striking operations both day and night.
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Number of Missiles and Weaponry?
Tomahawk Cruise Missiles: Hundreds on destroyers and submarines (90+ VLS cells on a single destroyer). Together, the group can fire 500-1,000+ Tomahawks.
Air-to-Air/Air-to-Ground Missiles: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-88 HARM, JDAM, JSOW, etc. Aircraft can carry bombs/missiles weighing thousands of kilos.
Defensive Missiles: Sea Sparrow, ESSM, RAM, Phalanx CIWS, SM-6 (Ballistic missile defense).
Nuclear Capability: While the carrier is nuclear-powered, it does not carry nuclear weapons.
Source: aajtak
If War Erupts, How Much Damage to Iran?
As a solitary force, this group is extraordinarily powerful and can execute large-scale attacks...
Aerial Strikes:
Over 70 aircraft conducting between 100-150 sorties daily, targeting Iran’s airbases, missile sites, naval bases, oil facilities, and command centers with precision strikes.
Cruise Missile Attacks:
Capable of remotely targeting Iranian military installations, navy, air defenses, and nuclear sites with Tomahawk missiles.
Potential Damage:
Can decimate Iran’s navy (composed mostly of smaller ships), control the Strait of Hormuz, achieve air superiority to ground Iran’s air force, and severely impact the economy through attacks on oil infrastructure. However, Iran possesses ballistic missiles, drones, and proxy groups that could challenge this group.
Full-Scale War:
Could result in significant damage to Iran’s military with the aid of other US groups and allies, yet a full-blown war would incur heavy casualties on both sides.
This group is dispatched to secure American interests in the Middle East, assist Israel, and deter Iran. It's not a routine deployment but a response to escalating tensions. The situation is critical, but the show of strength may also help avert war.
