WASHINGTON (AP) - The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, after months of providing protection for Israel, is set to head home, the Navy announced on Monday.

Replacing the Ford and its accompanying warships will be the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan along with its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. These vessels, previously stationed in the Red Sea, have been transiting toward the Eastern Mediterranean over the past few days.

The U.S. 6th Fleet, responsible for ships sailing in the Mediterranean, stated that the Ford will sail for home "in the coming days." The decision to send the Ford to the Eastern Mediterranean was made shortly after Hamas' attacks on October 7th. While the carrier remained in the Eastern Mediterranean, its accompanying warships intercepted incoming ballistic missiles and attack drones fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen in the Red Sea. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin even paid a visit to the Ford last month.

The Ford and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier have been maintaining a two-carrier presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, acting as a barrier to the Israel-Hamas war. This presence underscores the concerns of the United States that the conflict could escalate further. The Eisenhower, stationed near the Gulf of Aden, has recently been patrolling the area due to several attacks on commercial vessels in recent weeks.

In an incident on Sunday, helicopters from the Eisenhower and its destroyer, the USS Gravely, responded to a distress call from the container ship Maersk Hangzhou, which was under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The boats fired at the helicopters, prompting the helicopters to return fire and sink three of the four boats, resulting in the deaths of their crews.

The ongoing attacks on commercial ships have led to the suspension of transits through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the southern Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

The USS Bataan, accompanied by the Mesa Verde and the Carter Hall, will take over the duties of protecting Israel. The Mesa Verde is a transport dock ship carrying approximately 2,000 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit who are capable of supporting various missions. The Carter Hall, on the other hand, is a dock landing ship that carries amphibious landing craft and their crews. Additionally, both the Bataan and the Mesa Verde can support rotary aircraft.

The USS Gerald R. Ford's imminent return signifies the completion of its mission in providing protection for Israel. The Navy's swift deployment of alternative warships reflects the commitment of the United States in maintaining a strong and vigilant presence in the region.

(Photo by Terje Pedersen/NTB/via REUTERS)