More than 20 U.S. Navy warships, two carrier strike groups among them, are enforcing the blockade of Iran in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR). To date, CENTCOM has redirected 61 commercial vessels linked to Iran and disabled at least four attempting to run<\/a> the blockade.<\/p>\n USS John Finn (DDG 113) sails behind USS Milius (DDG 69), USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7), and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Sea. <\/p>\n Over 20 U.S. warships are enforcing the blockade against Iran. CENTCOM forces have redirected 61 commercial vessels and disabled 4 to\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/gG9B2K5c9p<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Navy released new images last week of both CSGs supporting the blockade. The USS George H.W. Bush was conducting flight operations<\/a> in the Arabian Sea on May 6, and recently spotted with 25 F\/A-18E\/F Super Hornets, two E-2D Hawkeyes, and three MH-60 Seahawks of Carrier Air Wing 7 visible on the flight deck. Unlike the Abraham Lincoln CSG, also operating in the AOR<\/a>, George H.W. Bush is not equipped with 5th-generation carrier-based F-35Cs.<\/p>\n The Gerald R. Ford CSG transited the Strait of Gibraltar westbound and is steaming toward Norfolk. The strike group has been deployed for 322 days, as of May 11, and is expected to return home in the coming weeks. The CSG departed Norfolk in June 2025 and was initially supposed to return in January, but its deployment was extended twice to support combat operations in the Caribbean and the Middle East.<\/p>\n Three carriers are now underway training in preparation for future deployments. The Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG, which recently completed a 15-month availability<\/a>, is working up off the east coast with AIS turned on<\/a>. The George Washington CSG got underway on May 10, according to ship spotters<\/a>, leaving port in Yokosuka, Japan, escorted by guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls. The Theodore Roosevelt CSG is \u201cconducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability<\/a>\u201d in the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n USS Nimitz is anchored off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a five-day liberty port call. Nimitz is circumnavigating South America en route to her new homeport in Norfolk. Originally slated to be decommissioned this year, her service life was recently extended into 2027<\/a>.<\/p>\n USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and USNS\u00a0Patuxent\u00a0(T-AO-201) Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oiler along with a Brazilian attack submarine in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil \u2013 May 7, 2026 SRC: X-@dmdst12<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Qch7agZEDJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) May 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Another Marine Air-Ground Task Force is set to arrive in CENTCOM in the near-term. While the Boxer ARG has not been confirmed in CENTCOM as of publication, an arrival announcement could come as soon as next week. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)<\/a> is comprised of a command element, a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3\/5, an Aviation Combat Element with two squadrons, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, and a logistics combat element. The approximately 5,000 Marines and Sailors<\/a> aboard Boxer ARG will join the Tripoli ARG, already on station in the Middle East, and significantly enhance the United States\u2019 expeditionary capabilities in the region.<\/p>\n Note: Positions are general approximations.\u00a0Non-deployed LHA\/LHD amphibious warships are not shown.<\/p>\n Contact the author:\u00a0ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io<\/p>\n \t\t![\"Nimitz-class](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/USS-George-H.W.-Bush-patrols-the-Arabian-Sea.jpg\")
<\/a>Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sails in the Arabian Sea, May 3, 2026. George H.W. Bush is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo) U.S. Central Command Public Affa<\/p>\n![\"PACIFIC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Roosevelt-CSG-COMPTUEX-1.jpg\")
PACIFIC OCEAN (May\u00a04, 2026) \u2013The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) conducts flight operations, May 4, 2026. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation conducting advanced training to bolster strike group readiness and capability. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy\u2019s role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Haro Gonzalez) Seaman Aaron Haro Gonzalez<\/p>\n![\"U.S.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11th-MEU-Marines-Sailors-Conduct-Flight-Operations-Aboard-USS-Boxer.jpg\")
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land during flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, May 2, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy\u2019s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry) Sgt. Trent A. Henry<\/p>\n