USS Harry S. Truman stays in Middle East for extended operation against Houthis

In late March 2025, the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier to remain in the Middle East for an extended period. This deployment aims to sustain two carrier strike groups in the region to address the increasing threat posed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been conducting missile and drone attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. The USS Truman, along with its strike group, entered the Red Sea, while another carrier, USS Carl Vinson, has been operating in the Gulf of Aden. As the situation escalated, General Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, requested the extension of the USS Truman's deployment, which Hegseth signed on Thursday. This decision follows an ongoing campaign aimed at countering the menace posed by Houthi attacks, which have significantly impacted maritime trade routes in the area. The U.S. has been actively participating in offensive operations, striking at least 1,000 targets in Yemen, as part of Operation Rough Rider, which began earlier in the year to bolster U.S. influence and support allies in the region. Previous deployments of American aircraft carriers to the Middle East had been rare due to the potentially disruptive nature on ship maintenance schedules and the well-being of sailors, who experience high operational tempo. However, the recent surge in Houthi aggression has warranted a dual-carrier presence to deter threats and maintain stability in essential trade corridors that witness movement of goods valued at approximately $1 trillion annually. Analysts have pointed out that the American military's engagement is unprecedented given the strategic importance of the Red Sea and the long-standing conflict involving Houthi rebels, Iranian backing, and regional security implications for U.S. allies. The Houthi rebels, in their latest campaigns, have indeed targeted more than 100 commercial vessels since late 2023 using missiles and drones, successfully sinking two ships and endangering sailors' lives. Their attacks are claimed to be in response to perceived threats and involve geopolitical elements relating to the conflict in Gaza with Hamas. During a self-imposed ceasefire, the Houthis paused their offensive until mid-March 2025, when the U.S. initiated broader military actions. Through these developments, it is clear that the American forces are committed to utilizing what Hegseth termed "overwhelming lethal force" against the Houthis until hostilities cease. If no further extensions occur, the colleagues of the Truman crew could expect to return to their home base in Norfolk, Virginia, by next month, after a challenging period of intense operations in a precarious geopolitical landscape.