Of course. This is actually explained in the article,
Omar said the move suggests a reallocation of priorities, particularly as Washington addresses security threats in the Indo-Pacific, where China and Russia have been expanding their influence through major naval exercises.
“It is important to interpret this as part of a broader recalibration of military resources, rather than a reduction in U.S. engagement,” Omar said.
So they’re not leaving the Middle East, just popping out as something more urgent came up in Asia-Pacific, but they or a suitable replacement will be back.
The new leader of Iran seems to be making overture to peace. Despite the geopolitics, carrier battle groups don’t stay on station at sea all the time.
What?
There was one there for 9 months before this one showed up, and another is probably already on its way if not there already.
9 month rotations aren’t even that long or abnormal
The point is there are always rotations. People always like to give meaning to them, but there always rotations
Having a carrier group posted up for a year is abnormal tho…
You’re trying to make one point when the opposite is true.
Usually it’s just a LHD and a handful of other ships
Wait, so 9 months isn’t abnormal, but 1 year is?
Of course. This is actually explained in the article,
So they’re not leaving the Middle East, just popping out as something more urgent came up in Asia-Pacific, but they or a suitable replacement will be back.