US Navy Extends 10-Month Deployments as Iran Blockade and Cuba Timeline Strain Crews
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 27
US Navy Extends 10-Month Deployments as Iran Blockade and Cuba Timeline Strain Crews
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 27
Several US warships deployed since last summer are nearing 10 months at sea, well past the usual six- to seven-month rotation and raising concern inside the Pentagon about crew fatigue.
Defense officials say the prolonged missions reflect pressure to keep forces in place for possible action against Cuba while the Navy also maintains a blockade of Iranian ships in the Arabian Gulf.
The strain follows the USS Gerald R. Ford’s record 11-month deployment, which ended this month after operations tied to the Maduro mission and the Iran war.
The USS Nimitz has also been kept at sea on what was expected to be its final deployment, with the Navy extending the 50-year-old carrier’s service into 2027.
Officials and veterans warn repeated open-ended extensions will complicate ship repairs when vessels return and could hurt reenlistment as sailors and Marines stay away from home for months longer than planned.