NORFOLK, Va. — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that the Norfolk-based Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which includes Carrier Air Wing Eight's four F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet squadrons from Naval Air Station Oceana, had arrived off the coast of Israel, days after the coordinated Hamas attack which killed at least 1,200 people including 22 Americans.
"The USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group has now arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean. We've also moved to extend U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons in the region, and the Department of Defense stands ready to deploy additional assets as necessary," he said.
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Austin continued: "And we will continue to ensure that Israel has what it needs to keep itself and its citizens safe."
The Ford Group also includes the Norfolk-based Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy, and the Norfolk-based Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ramage.
House Armed Services Commitee member Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia, 2nd District) said Wednesday that it's urgent to send Hamas and other adversaries a strong message.
"The reason they're there is to be a deterrent. The reason they're there is not to provoke action. And we're trying to deter any further aggression and deter war. That's what being a strong nation does. And it's important that we send a very clear message that we stand with Israel," she said.
And on Friday, another Norfolk based Carrier Strike Group is shipping out.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely will depart from Naval Station Norfolk.
The Navy says this is a regularly scheduled deployment.