NORFOLK, Va. — UPDATE: Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group headed to Eastern Mediterranean amid Israel-Hamas conflict, Secretary of Defense says
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is experiencing a delay in its deployment from Naval Station Norfolk Friday.
The U.S. Navy has not shared a specific reason for the delay but said in a late afternoon press release that "The departure was delayed to ensure the ship is in peak readiness when she joins the units from the strike group."
The Navy said it is hopeful the ship will be able to depart soon and join the rest of the carrier strike group, which left Hampton Roads this morning.
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 joining the deployment.
The Navy has not said where exactly the strike group will be heading but said it is a regularly scheduled deployment and not in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Eisenhower last went out on deployment in 2021. The Navy says more than 5,000 service members make up the Eisenhower Strike Group. There is no word on how long the group will be gone.