Rossevelt, escorted by the Ticonderoga 'Normandy' class missile cruiser, passed the Hornuz Strait last Sunday to join the naval forces already present in the Arabian Sea.
According to unconfirmed sources, Roosevelt is tracing a convoy of Iranian ships bound for the Gulf of Aden, presumably to deliver weapons to the Houthi rebels. It is not yet clear whether or not Americans intend to carry out a real naval blockade, considering the repercussions that such an action could have with Iran.
According to the Pentagon, the deployed fleet would be conducting "normal maritime security operations". It is clear, however, that the one assembled in the Arabian Sea is a powerful naval device.
The force embarked by the Roosevelt is composed of nine squadrons. The carrier, in addition to the cruiser Normandy, is escorted by the respective battle group (CSG) which also includes the missile launcher class Arleigh Burke, 'USS Forrest Sherman' and 'USS Winston S. Churchill'.
Roosevelt will join the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group consisting of amphibious assault ships 'Iwo Jima', 'New York' and 'Fort McHenry' and the 24st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The US also sent the Avenger 'Dextrous' and 'Sentry' class mines to the area and recalled three supply ships: the 'Charles Drew', the 'Laramie' and the 'Arctic'.
In the Arabian Sea there are also two nuclear-powered attack submarines, class Los Angeles.
Considering the Chinese, Indian, Egyptian and Saudi ships present, some thirty warships are stationed in the Yemen region.
Franco Iacch
(photo: US Navy)
