NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk-based USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will remain in the Middle East for at least another month as of Monday.
That’s according to the Associated Press, citing U.S. officials who agreed to talk anonymously about a decision that hadn't been made public.
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News 3 reached out to the Department of Defense Monday to try to get a statement but did not get a response.
“I’m just very thankful for their service," said Virginia U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans in a recent interview with News 3 for an unrelated story.
Kiggans talked about the importance of having ships deployed in the Middle East.
Watch: Virginia U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans shares thoughts on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG deployment
"Their presence, it's a deterrent," Kiggans said. "It’s also providing stability and peace in the region that might not otherwise have it. So shout out to all of our sailors who are deployed currently on the USS Eisenhower and their families. We know it’s hard, especially when there’s talk of uncertainty of homecomings."
News 3 also reached out Monday to people who have family members on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and reached out to the ship’s ombudsman but did not get a response.
“Anyone that would look at this force and try to do something will have to think a dozen times before acting," Retired Vice Adm. Herm Shelanski told News 3 in October 2023 shortly after the fighting between Israel and Hamas broke out and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was deployed.
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The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was deployed to join the Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the region, which has since come home.
Like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group's deployment was extended as a result of the fighting.
At the time, News 3 also spoke to Aaron Karp, an international politics professor at Old Dominion University, about the conflict.
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“None of the participants in the war have an interest in ceasing to fight," Karp said. "They all benefit from perpetuating the conflict."
The fighting continued Monday, but President Biden recently proposed a cease-fire deal.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has shot down drones and missiles from militant groups and helped protect commercial shipping in the region.
