US Secretary of Defense visits aircraft carrier in the Middle East

(Patria) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford in the Mediterranean Sea and thanked its crew for their role in helping to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East during the war between Israel and Hamas.

The nuclear-powered Ford, with more than 4,000 personnel and eight aircraft squadrons, became a powerful symbol of American resolve by rushing closer to Israel after it was attacked by Hamas on October 7.

Austin extended Ford's deployment three times, hoping its presence would make Iran and pro-Iranian groups, especially Lebanese Hezbollah, think twice before joining the fight against Israel.

"This carrier and crew are making history. Sometimes our greatest achievements are the bad things we stop from happening. And at a time of immense tension in the region, you have all been key to preventing a wider regional conflict," Austin said addressing the ship.

How much longer Ford will remain in the eastern Mediterranean is unclear, as is whether it will sail to its home port in Virginia before Israel transitions from high-intensity combat in Gaza to a different, more limited phase of the war to dismantle Hamas.

Austin discussed transition planning with Israeli leaders on Monday in Tel Aviv, amid growing international outcry over the high number of civilian deaths in Gaza. When Israel could begin that transition is unclear, and Austin told reporters in Israel he was not there to dictate timelines to the close US ally.

Until regional tensions subside, Austin must consider what else the US and its partners can do to deter Iranian allies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, all of whom are trying to impose costs on Israel and Washington over the Gaza conflict. In Iraq and Syria, US troops have suffered drone and missile attacks by Iran-backed militias.