Carrier transits Strait of Hormuz for the first time since deployment
By The Associated Press
Master-At-Arms Seaman Khang Ho, right, and Seaman Shane Mitchell search for surface contacts during a Strait of Hormuz transit on board the guided-missile cruiser Leyte Gulf on Tuesday in the Strait of Hormuz. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Pearson/Navy)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A U.S. aircraft carrier ordered by the White House to rapidly deploy to the Mideast over a perceived threat from Iran has transited the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since its deployment.
The U.S. Navy says the carrier Abraham Lincoln transited the strait on Tuesday, making its way to the Persian Gulf. The carrier left Norfolk, Virginia, in April and was diverted to the Middle East in May, but it had remained in the Arabian Sea, avoiding passage through the strait that borders Iran.
The Abraham Lincoln on Monday was in the Arabian Sea some 200 miles off the coast of Oman.
By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
American aircraft carriers have for decades sailed through the international oil shipping route in what the U.S. describes as “defensive” operations aimed at keeping the strait open.
The Trump administration deployed the Lincoln to the Persian Gulf amid a spike in tensions with Iran.
Navy Times editor’s note: I just looked at this and saw AP can’t tell the difference between a guided-missile cruiser and an aircraft carrier. I fixed the caption at the top.
A helicopter lifts off of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as it transits the Strait of Hormuz on Nov. 19, 2019. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Stephanie Contreras/U.S. Navy via AP)
The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, left, the air-defense destroyer HMS Defender and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut transit the Strait of Hormuz on Nov. 19, 2019, with the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Pearson/U.S. Navy via AP)
The squadron flew inland from the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush to conduct mountain flying, low-level tactical flying, off-airport landing and more.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry says 20 Chinese aircraft crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait that has been an unofficial buffer zone between the sides.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in the Philippines for talks on deploying larger numbers of U.S. forces and weapons in more Philippine military camps.
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