USS George H.W. Bush Completing Certification as Potential 3rd US Carrier Strike Group

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is completing its pre-deployment certification as of mid-March, making it a potential third carrier strike group for the Iran theater. The Bush would join USS Abraham Lincoln (Arabian Sea) and USS Gerald R. Ford (Eastern Mediterranean) as the third carrier committed to Operation Epic Fury. Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) would deploy aboard the Bush. US defense officials have not publicly confirmed the deployment timeline, but congressional sources briefed on planning said a third carrier is part of the escalation package being considered if Iran does not capitulate.