Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush sails in the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 6, 2026 (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John R. Farren)
The United States is expected to deploy a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East, Fox News reports.
USS George H.W. Bush completed its pre-deployment training on Thursday, according to the US Navy.
The US Naval Institute reports that the carrier, its escorting warships, and air wing “wrapped up the composite unit training exercise that all carrier strike groups must do before becoming certified for national tasking.”
Fox News says that the carrier strike group “is expected to deploy soon” and head to the eastern Mediterranean, where USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, was recently stationed.
USS Gerald R. Ford was seen moving through the Suez Canal on Thursday and is now in the Red Sea, according to photos released by the American military.
Meanwhile, USS Abraham Lincoln remains stationed in the Arabian Sea for strikes against Iran amid the war.
The USS Gerald R. Ford transits the Suez Canal, March 5, 2026. (US Navy photo)
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From the Liveblog of
Saturday, March 7, 2026
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