Japan-Based U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deployed to Middle East

Washington, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press)–The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is based in the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, has arrived in the Middle East, the U.S. Central Command revealed Thursday. The flattop will replace another U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for over 270 days to carry out U.S. military operations against Iran. The move reflects the United States’ intent to maintain its military strength in the Middle East, as the country continues its naval blockade on Iran. According to The New York Times, about 20 U.S. warships have been deployed near the Persian Gulf, including the USS George Washington and the USS George H. W. Bush, also a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. There are concerns that the deployment of the USS George Washington to the Middle East would leave the Pacific area, where China has maritime ambitions, with no U.S. aircraft carrier. U.S. media outlet Axios said that “temporary carrier gaps are not uncommon.” The news website, however, quoted an expert as saying that “countries in the region could begin questioning whether Washington would actually be supportive in a crisis” if such absence becomes frequent. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]