The US has launched the largest naval and air deployment in the Middle East in decades amid warnings of possible military action against Iran. Thousands of American troops are being sent to the region amid strict warnings from President Donald Trump, but the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. The situation is not easy for the approximately 5,000 sailors deployed on the Ford.
USS Gerald R. has been at sea since June. ford
USS Gerald R. Ford has been deployed at sea since June last year. President Trump has extended its mission for the second time. This long deployment time has led to many problems on the ship, including clogged toilets and problems with the sewage system.
Increased deployment after Nicolas Maduro mission
This aircraft carrier played a big role in the operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January. After this mission, the crew was told that their deployment was being increased in view of possible Iran attacks. Now the ship is moving towards the Middle East, where it will connect with another American aircraft carrier.
Longer than normal deployment time
Usually, in peacetime, the deployment of an aircraft carrier is for about 6 months. But Ford’s sailors have been at sea for 8 months and this time can reach 11 months. If this happens, it will be a record for the longest continuous deployment in the history of the US Navy.
Increasing technical problems on the ship
Constant stay at sea increases the pressure on the ship. If maintenance and repair work is postponed, the equipment starts getting damaged. According to a NPR report in January, the ship’s plumbing system was deteriorating. Many toilets on this ship, built at a cost of $13 billion, are not working and sailors are working day and night to fix leaks.
The report said that due to the vacuum system, the failure of one toilet can affect the toilets of the entire area. Everything from a T-shirt to a four-feet long rope was found stuck in the system. The most common problem reported is that a part at the back of the toilet is loose.
resentment among sailors
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, a sailor said the crew members were angry and upset and wanted to leave the Navy as soon as the deployment ended. Most of the sailors on the ship are in the age group of 20 to 25 years. He is away from his family and due to ‘ghost mode’ contact remains limited due to security reasons.
American presence increased in the Middle East
Washington has currently deployed more than a dozen warships in the Middle East. These include one aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships. The presence of two American aircraft carriers at one time in the Middle East is generally considered rare.
