U.S. aircraft carriers in Middle East: How Pacific defense is stretched thin

The United States currently maintains two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the Middle East as part of intensified regional operations and maritime route control, specifically targeting Iranian ports. Operation Epic Fury, a coordinated military-naval campaign involving the U.S. and its allies against Iran's security apparatus, officially began on February 28 under President Donald Trump's orders. The operation includes over 50,000 troops, more than 200 combat aircraft, strategic bombers, and over 20 warships under the command of the U.S. Central Command.

The conflict has intensified the struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial 33-kilometer-wide waterway connecting the Persian and Oman Gulfs, through which approximately 20 percent of the world's oil passes. Iran has responded by attempting to block the strait using anti-ship mines, drones, and swarms of fast attack craft, which has contributed to oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel. In response, the U.S. Navy is conducting a counter-blockade of Iranian ports to cut off Tehran's revenue and is employing heavy weaponry to neutralize Iranian threats, reportedly destroying over 150 Iranian vessels, including the drone carrier Shahid Bagheri.

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) serve as the primary strike forces for this operation, acting as "floating airports" that control the air and sea in the region. Over half of the combat aircraft sorties have launched from their decks. The Abraham Lincoln has set a modern naval record by spending over 210 consecutive days at sea without docking, highlighting its sustained operational capability.

These Nimitz-class supercarriers, representing the backbone of U.S. naval power, are capable of remaining at sea for months. The USS Abraham Lincoln, costing $4.7 billion, is powered by two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors, enabling continuous operation for over 20 years without refueling and achieving speeds exceeding 56 km/h. It can carry up to 90 aircraft and helicopters, including advanced fighters like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C Lightning II. The deployment of these powerful assets to the Middle East raises questions about the potential strain on U.S. defense capabilities in the Pacific.