The United States has begun raising tensions in the Middle East after\ndeciding to blockade all ship traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports\nstarting Monday (13 April 2026) local time.<\/p>\n
This step was taken after weekend negotiations between Washington and\nTehran failed to produce an agreement to end the war that has been\nongoing for about six weeks.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the US military stated that ships belonging to\ncountries other than Iran will not be obstructed, meaning they are\npermitted to cross the strait.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Washington also announced it will begin destroying\nnaval mines sown by Iran along the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
This mission is quite noble to undertake as it will reopen shipping\nlanes, particularly for those carrying energy. However, in practice,\nsecuring and clearing the Strait of Hormuz is not an easy military\noperation. This operation certainly raises concerns about potential\nattacks from Iranian military forces.<\/p>\n
This strait is one of the most important chokepoints in the world and\nfalls within the operational area of the US 5th Fleet, headquartered in\nBahrain.<\/p>\n
The area of responsibility of this fleet covers the Arabian Gulf,\nGulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n
So, which fleets is the US most likely to use to secure this\nroute?<\/p>\n
Destroyers<\/p>\n
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees the\nMiddle East, the US military has currently deployed two warships of the\ndestroyer type. The two ships are USS Frank E. Petersen Jr (DDG-121) and\nUSS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).<\/p>\n
Both are Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, which are US\nNavy destroyers designed to carry missiles, escort fleets, and carry out\nvarious combat missions at sea.<\/p>\n
CENTCOM reported that both ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 11\nApril and have begun initial operations to open lanes for shipping in\nthe area.<\/p>\n
CENTCOM also explained that the two ships are also being used to\nsecure the situation there before the naval mine clearance team is\ndeployed in the strait.<\/p>\n
Underwater Drones from Task Force 59<\/p>\n
One of the most important assets is not a large ship, but rather\nunderwater drones or unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).<\/p>\n
CENTCOM has already stated that additional elements, including\nunderwater drones, will join the mine clearance operation in the coming\ndays. This is important because the main threat in Hormuz currently is\nnot just open confrontation, but also the danger of naval mines that\ncould cripple passing ship traffic.<\/p>\n
This step aligns with the direction of developing US naval power in\nthe Middle East. The US Navy previously formed Task Group 59.1 under\nTask Force 59, which focuses on using unmanned systems combined with\nhuman operators to strengthen maritime security in the Middle East\nregion.<\/p>\n
This means that in the mission to clear the Strait of Hormuz, the US\nwill likely not only rely on conventional warships.<\/p>\n
They will also integrate unmanned technology to detect, map, and help\nremove subsurface threats.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, as of now, CENTCOM has not publicly detailed the type\nof underwater drones that will be used in the Hormuz mine clearance\noperation.<\/p>\n
Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier<\/p>\n
Behind the two destroyers, the US also has the USS Abraham Lincoln,\nwhich is currently operating in the Arabian Sea in support of US\nmilitary operations in the Middle East. This aircraft carrier serves as\nan umbrella due to its significant air power, from fighter jets and\nearly warning aircraft (AWACS) to helicopters.<\/p>\n
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a US aircraft carrier belonging to the\nNimitz class, a group of large nuclear-powered carriers.<\/p>\n
This ship is the fifth unit in that class and was built by Newport\nNews Shipbuilding. Construction began on 3 November 1984, and it\nofficially entered service on 11 November 1989. Since then, the USS\nAbraham Lincoln has been one of the key strengths of the US Navy for\nmore than 30 years.<\/p>\n
The main strength of this carrier is not just its hull, but its air\ncapabilities. The USS Abraham Lincoln can carry up to about 90 aircraft\nand helicopters. In combat operations, the composition can be adjusted\naccording to mission needs.<\/p>\n
Its current battle group carries more than 60 fixed-wing aircraft and\nhelicopters, including fighter aircraft, early warning aircraft,\nelectronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters as well as\nsearch-and-rescue helicopters.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-deploys-destroyer-and-aircraft-carrier-to-hormuz-how-formidable-is-its-power-1776088255", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }