WASHINGTON / SUEZ CANAL — In a major escalation of American naval presence in the Middle East, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has officially transited the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea. The move comes as the Pentagon prepares to deploy a third supercarrier, the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), to the region to bolster “Operation Epic Fury.”
The Ford Moves South
Satellite imagery and official U.S. Navy photographs confirmed that the Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, completed its southbound transit through the Suez Canal on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The carrier’s move into the Red Sea shifts its massive strike capabilities closer to Yemen and the southern coast of Iran. Military analysts suggest the repositioning is twofold:
- Countering Houthi Threats: To provide direct air cover and strike capability against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have increased drone and missile attacks on international shipping since the war began.
- Expanding Strike Vectors: To allow the U.S. to conduct coordinated multi-front air operations alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), which is currently operating in the Arabian Sea.
Reinforcing the Mediterranean
To ensure no power vacuum is left in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Biden-Trump transition task force has ordered the USS George H.W. Bush to deploy immediately.
The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group completed its final pre-deployment certification (COMPTUEX) off the coast of North Carolina on March 5. According to Navy officials, the “Avenger” strike group is expected to reach the Eastern Mediterranean within the next ten days to take over the Ford’s previous station near the Israeli coast.
A “Triple-Carrier” Footprint
The deployment marks a rare and significant concentration of American naval power. Once the Bush arrives, the U.S. will have three nuclear-powered supercarriers positioned within striking distance of Iran and its proxies:
| Carrier | Current Location | Primary Mission |
| USS Gerald R. Ford | Red Sea | Red Sea security / Southern Iran strikes |
| USS Abraham Lincoln | Arabian Sea | Direct operations against Iranian mainland |
| USS George H.W. Bush | En Route (Atlantic) | Mediterranean defense / Levant air support |
The Ford has now been at sea for over 250 days, approaching a record-breaking deployment length as it moves into the heart of the combat zone.
