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.
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.