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The Pentagon is sending an aircraft carrier from the Caribbean to the Middle East, US. officials said on Friday, a move that would put two carriers in the region as tensions soar between the US and Iran.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gerald R. Ford carrier, the United States\u2019 newest and the world\u2019s largest carrier, has been operating in the Caribbean with its escort ships and took part in operations in Venezuela earlier this year.<\/p>\n Asked why a second aircraft carrier was headed to the Middle East, US. President Donald Trump said: \u201cIn case we don\u2019t make a deal, we\u2019ll need it\u2026 if we need it, we\u2019ll have it ready.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the officials, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, said the carrier would take at least a week to reach the Middle East.<\/p>\n The Gerald R. Ford will join the Abraham Lincoln carrier, several guided-missile destroyers, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft that have been moved to the Middle East in recent weeks.<\/p>\n The United States most recently had two aircraft carriers in the area last year, when it carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites in June.<\/p>\n With only 11 aircraft carriers in the US. military\u2019s arsenal, they are a scarce resource and their schedules are usually set well in advance.<\/p>\n In a statement, US. Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America, said it would continue to stay focused on countering \u201cillicit activities and malign actors in the Western Hemisphere.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump had said this week he was considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East if a deal is not reached with Iran.<\/p>\n On Friday he told reporters he thought that talks with Iran would be successful but warned that \u201cif they\u2019re not, it\u2019s going to be a bad day for Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n LONG DEPLOYMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ford has essentially been at sea since June 2025. It was supposed to be operating in Europe before it was abruptly moved to the Caribbean in November.<\/p>\n While deployments for carriers usually last nine months, it is not uncommon for them to be extended during periods of increased US. military activity.<\/p>\n Navy officials have long warned that long deployments at sea can damage morale on ships.<\/p>\n Officials said the administration had looked at sending a separate carrier, the Bush, to the Middle East, but it was undergoing certification and would take over a month to reach the Middle East.<\/p>\n The Ford, which has a nuclear reactor on board, can hold more than 75 military aircraft, including fighter aircraft like the F-18 Super Hornet jets and the E-2 Hawkeye, which can act as an early warning system.<\/p>\n The Ford also includes sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation.<\/p>\n The supporting ships, such as the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Normandy, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt, include surface-to-air, surface-to-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n