Summary and Key Points: The USS Theodore Roosevelt, part of Carrier Strike Group 9, is now stationed in the Gulf of Oman as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian amid rising tensions in the region.

-The carrier and its air wing, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, are prepared for potential expanded operations due to escalating conflicts, particularly involving Yemen-based Houthis.

-As regional tensions with Israel and Iran increase, the carrier group may face heightened challenges, continuing its mission to maintain stability and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

USS Theodore Roosevelt Headed to the Red Sea

The Nimitz-class carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is on station in the Gulf of Oman as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. Its strike group and embarked air wing are with it. Rising tensions in the region mean the formation might engage in operations beyond their normal remit. The sailors and airmen of the carrier strike group will likely have their hands full in the weeks to come.

Other U.S. Assets Deployed to the Mideast

U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are massive vessels crewed by thousands of personnel. Their true power, however, comes from the forces with which they travel. Theodore Roosevelt is escorted by the other ships in Carrier Strike Group 9 (CSG 9). These include the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and the guided missile destroyers USS John McCain, Halsey, and Daniel Inouye. Together, these ships represent a formidable force armed with 5 inch guns, torpedoes, and a variety of missiles. 

In addition to the ships of the strike group, Roosevelt is home to the aircrew of Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW 11). The wing’s tactical air component includes four squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as well as a squadron of E/A-18G. These aircraft, specifically the Super Hornets, represent the true striking power of the formation, capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-surface ordnance such as AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and GBU-12 Paveway laser-guided bombs. 

A CVW consists of more than just jets. Also on the Roosevelt are a squadron of E-2D Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft and two squadrons of MH-60 helicopters. Support and logistics are provided by a C-2 Greyhound squadron. 

An Overview of Recent Escalations in the Region

The Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman have been dangerous waters since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. The U.S. initially deployed the carrier USS Eisenhower to the region to help ensure stability. Its strike group was swiftly drawn into operations against a somewhat unexpected enemy: the Yemen-based Houthis. 

Since Israel began combat operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have carried out their own campaign in support of the Gaza-based terror group. This has primarily consisted of missile, rocket, and drone attacks against ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. While the group has said it only targets vessels affiliated with Israel and the U.S. or supporting those two against Hamas, they have been indiscriminate in the ships they strike. The Teddy Roosevelt strike group will take up where Ike left off, defending shipping in the region and carrying out strikes in Yemen against Houthi targets. 

As tensions between Israel and Iran ratchet up, there is increased risk of a wider regional war. Should such a conflict break out, the crews of CSG 9 might be called on to fight in some capacity. Meanwhile, they carry out the Navy’s mission to maintain freedom of the seas. 

About the Author: Maya Carlin 

Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. 

Image Credit: Creative Commons.