NORFOLK, Va. — The Pentagon has announced that the Norfolk-based USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall have been ordered to proceed to U.S. Central Command area of operations near the Middle East.
The move is in response to recent attempts by Iran to threaten the free flow of commerce in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
In a news release, the Department of Defense said, "the United States is demonstrating commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the region."
The Bataan and Carter Hall both left Hampton Roads on deployment earlier this month, on July 10.