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Ford Carrier Enters Med, Boosting US Power
20 Feb
Summary
- USS Gerald R. Ford carrier entered the Mediterranean Sea on Friday.
- The US has deployed 13 warships, including one carrier, in the Middle East.
- Dozens of stealth fighter jets and other warplanes are also in the region.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, entered the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, February 20, 2026. This arrival substantially increases American military strength in a region marked by significant military mobilization. The Ford is accompanied by three destroyers.
This deployment adds to the existing US naval presence, which includes the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier, nine destroyers, and three littoral combat ships in the Middle East. With the Ford and its escorts in position, the total number of US warships in the region will rise to 17. Both carriers house thousands of sailors and dozens of warplanes.
Beyond naval assets, the United States has dispatched numerous advanced aircraft to the Middle East, including F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets, alongside KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. These assets are supported by enhanced land-based air defenses and the air defense capabilities of the numerous guided-missile destroyers. Tens of thousands of US military personnel are stationed on bases in the Middle East.
