Overview:
After three months combating Houthi attacks in the Middle East, the USS Carl Vinson is now in the Indian Ocean heading home to Naval Air station North Island.
The U.S. Naval Institute (USNI News) reports that the Coronado-based aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, experienced one of the longest deployments for West Coast-based carriers since the Houthis began attacks in the Red Sea. The Vinson has been at sea for more than 240 days.
Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping began in protest of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Since November 2023, the group has launched dozens of missiles and drone attacks on commercial ships, sinking multiple vessels.
The USS Carl Vinson arrived in the Middle East two weeks after President Trump gave orders to have the giant ship join the USS Harry S. Truman to help fight against the Iranian-backed Houthi attacks. The nuclear-powered ship, with a crew of more than 5,000, provides a mobile base for 90 military aircraft and is a launch platform for missiles.
American officials repeatedly have linked the Trump-led U.S. campaign against the Houthis as a means to pressure Iran in nuclear negotiations, according to the Associated Press.
A week ago, the Houthis sank two commercial ships, with the second resulting in multiple fatalities.
Mohammed Albasha, a Yemen expert who writes the risk analysis Basha report, told USNI News the attack happened shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump met to discuss a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The U.S. issued the following statement on July 8 regarding the recent Houthi attacks:
“The United States has been clear: We will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which must be condemned by all members of the international community.”
A defense official confirmed to USNI News on July 14 that the USS Carl Vinson left the North Arabian Sea on Friday, July 11. The ship will spend an unspecified amount of time in the Indian Ocean prior to its return to San Diego.
