NORFOLK, Va. — Following a delayed deployment, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is heading to the Eastern Mediterranean to assist in the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to the Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
In a release Saturday evening, Austin said the Eisenhower CSG would be joining the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in an "effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas's attack on Israel."
The Eisenhower aircraft carrier was originally scheduled to depart Friday morning with the rest of the strike group but was unexpectedly delayed. The U.S. Navy has not shared an exact reason for the delay but said in press release from the Second Fleet that it was "to ensure the ship is in peak readiness when she joins the units from the strike group."
The Eisenhower CSG was already scheduled for deployment prior to Hamas' attacks on Israel, although Navy officials did not say where the fleet was originally supposed to be stationed.
On Friday, strike group leaders said the Eisenhower team would be ready for whatever awaits them.
"The first question that gets asked by our national leaders is, 'Where are the carrier strike groups?' said Rear Admiral Marc Miguez, Commander. Carrier Strike Group Two. "We just happened to coincide this scheduled deployment with some worldwide events that are going on right now. And when asked, we will support whatever we're tasked with."
RELATED: Norfolk-based USS Ford Strike Group arrives off Israel, Austin says U.S. to deploy additional assets
Family members gathered in Norfolk Saturday morning to send off their loved ones aboard the Eisenhower. Given recent instability in the Middle East, Carol Maher, whose grandson is part of the Ike crew, admits she's worried.
"Yes, I can't say that I'm not definitely a little stressed by that for sure," she told 13News Now.
The deployment includes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), and the Florida-based destroyer USS Mason (DDG 107), which left from Naval Station Mayport.
Several aircraft squadrons from Norfolk and Virginia Beach are also part of the deployment.
The Eisenhower last went out on deployment in 2021. The Navy says more than 5,000 service members make up the Strike Group. There is no word on how long the group will be gone.