US Aircraft Carrier Enters Indian Ocean As Trump Sends Strike Group To West Asia Amid Iran Tensions

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the lead vessel of Carrier Strike Group 3, passed through the Strait of Malacca on January 19. The transit was accompanied by three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers — USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) — which provided escort during the passage.

In a post on social media, United States Central Command said the carrier and its strike group "is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability."

The deployment adds thousands of US service members to the region and marks the first time a carrier has been in Middle Eastern waters since October, when the USS Gerald R. Ford was sent to the Caribbean.