--- title: "USS Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group arrive in the Middle East" description: "The Navy ships replace the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in the waters around Yemen, where the Navy is still fighting Houthi militants." date: "2024-07-13" modified: "2024-07-13" authors: - name: "Nicholas Slayton" job_title: "Contributing Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/nicholas-slayton.md" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/uss-theodore-roosevelt-carrier-navy-yemen/" categories: - "Around the World" - "Carriers" - "Middle East" - "Military Branches" - "Navy" - "News" - "Ships" - "Tech & Tactics" tags: - "central command" --- # USS Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group arrive in the Middle East ![]() Three weeks after its deployment was announced, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and its supporting carrier strike group are now operating in the waters off of Yemen. The U.S. Navy ships are the latest contingent to be sent to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to deal with the months-long conflict against Yemen’s Houthi militants. “The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations July 12 to deter aggression, promote regional stability, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region,” CENTCOM said in a [statement]() on X. The group’s arrival comes as American forces in the area continue to intercept or preemptively take out Houthi missiles and drones on a regular basis. On July 11, just before the USS Theodore Roosevelt arrived, U.S. troops destroyed five Houthi uncrewed surface vehicles and two uncrewed aerial vehicles. On July 12 as the carrier group arrived, three aerial drones were taken out in Yemen. In recent weeks Houthi attacks have been more successful, damaging and even sinking some commercial ships. The strike group will bring some firepower and aerial capabilities missing since the [Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group left](). Alongside the aircraft carrier, the group includes the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Daniel Inouye and USS Halsey. The aircraft carrier also is transporting Carrier Air Wing 11 with its own complement of fighter jets, including F/A-18 Super Hornets. [**Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today**]()**. Get the latest military news and culture in your inbox daily.** The “Ike” and its carrier strike group departed the waters around Yemen in June. The ships arrived back in the United States this month. While in the area, its forces actively took part in operations to intercept Houthi missiles and drones, as well as strikes targeting radar and launch sites that presented what CENTCOM has said were imminent threats. The Navy ships and fighter jets also participated in multinational strikes on Yemen meant to deter additional Houthi actions. However, the Yemeni group continues to launch attacks on commercial ships passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on a nearly daily basis. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its carrier strike group, deployed back in October alongside the Ike, left in January. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group arrived after being deployed to the Korean Peninsula. During its journey across the Indian Ocean to the 5th Fleet’s area of operations, the group also carried out joint operations with the Indian navy. ## The latest on Task & Purpose - **This** [**41-year-old soldier**]() **graduated Army basic training after a 20 year break** - **The woman who** [**predicted the Tết Offensive**]()**, but was ignored, passes away at 97** - **National Guard soldiers training with** [**‘pocket-sized’ drones**]() - **Army vet receives Bronze Star with valor 20 years later for bravery in** [**Iraq ambush**]() - **2 Civil War soldiers receive** [**Medal of Honor** ]()**for ‘Great Locomotive Chase’** ## Author Nicholas Slayton is a contributing editor for Task & Purpose, covering conflict for over 12 years, from the Arab Spring to the war in Ukraine. His previous reporting can be found on the non-profit Aslan Media, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, The New Republic, The American Prospect, Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, and the Los Angeles Downtown News. You can reach him at nicholas@taskandpurpose.com or find him on Twitter @NSlayton and Bluesky at @nslayton.bsky.social. ### Author social links [Twitter]()