In a bid to address ongoing concerns about instability in the region amid Israel's conflict with Hamas, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and one additional vessel to remain in the Mediterranean Sea for a few more weeks. This extension marks the third continuation of the carrier's deployment, resulting in the crew spending Christmas away from home.

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group was initially deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean in May, replacing the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group in the aftermath of Russo-Ukraine hostilities. Its presence near Israel's coast comes in the wake of a significant terror attack by Hamas on October 7, followed by Israel's subsequent extensive bombing campaign and ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, known as the United States' most technologically advanced aircraft carrier, measures around 1,092 feet in length, with a beam of 256 feet at its flight deck and a height of 250 feet. Alongside the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which joined the Ford a few days later, it currently constitutes two deployed US aircraft carriers in the region.

While specific details of the extended deployments of the Ford and the USS Normandy cruiser remain undisclosed, multiple US officials have confirmed the agreement for the extension this week on the condition of anonymity.

Since concerns over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine arose in December 2021, the United States has granted extensions to carrier deployments. For example, the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group was deployed for eight months, while the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group spent nine months on deployment.

Originally, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group was intended to replace the Ford in the region. However, Defense Secretary Austin decided to extend Ford's mission in October, ordering both Eisenhower and Ford to patrol the waterways between southern Europe and the Middle East.

The recent extension of the Ford's deployment comes as Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, expressed that it will take months to eliminate Hamas, indicating a prolonged conflict. During a meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Israeli commanders reaffirmed their commitment to continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Israel has rejected ending hostilities, and the United States, being its staunch ally, has vetoed any ceasefire proposals.

While the extensive deployment may appear excessive given Hamas's limited resources, the US justifies it as a measure to prevent any further regional escalation of the conflict. The deployment also serves as a deterrent against aggressive actions by Iran-backed militias, such as the intermittent missile and drone attacks carried out by the Houthis on commercial ships.

Critics argue that the US's deployment of carriers and the expansion of naval forces in the region initially meant to project power and deter adversaries, now faces additional challenges as Iran-backed militias increasingly retaliate with force.

Coinciding with the extended deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the aircraft carrier is currently undergoing downsizing. As a result of a severe shortage of sailors in the service, the USS Ford has reduced its crew by approximately 500-600 sailors in the past six months to a year. These cuts have caused the carrier's crew size to fall below the original Acquisition Program Baseline target set back in 2004, posing significant challenges to the operations of the Ford-class Carrier Program.

Despite the reduction in crew members, the USS Gerald R. Ford continues its mission with determination, showcasing the United States' commitment to supporting its allies and maintaining stability in the region amidst ongoing conflicts.