The USS Eisenhower and its air wing are equipped to conduct a full spectrum of naval operations rapidly with overwhelming effect.

USS Eisenhower is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG-2), which includes the guided-missile cruiser Philippine Sea (CG-58), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Mason (DDG-87) and Gravely (DDG-107), and Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) with nine aircraft squadrons, according to the Navy.

The 97,000-ton warship is powered by two nuclear reactors driving four steam turbines, enabling speeds of more than 30 knots (56 km/h).

Its combat systems include eight separate sensors and processing systems, two electronic warfare systems and decoys, three weapon systems and 90 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

Major systems include the AN/SPS-48 and AN/SPS-49 air search radars, AN/SPQ-9 target acquisition radar and AN/SLQ-32 countermeasure suite, according to published reports.

The Eisenhower is also armed with RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) surface-to-air missile systems and the Mk 15 Phalanx close-in weapon system.

The supercarrier has a complement of almost 6,000, including about 3,500 sailors and 2,400 air wing personnel when carrying up to 90 aircraft.

The core of the Eisenhower's capability resides in its air wing, which features F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters.

This array of aircraft provides air combat, strike, electronic warfare, early warning, command-and-control and a variety of combat support capabilities.

Between its large air wing and onboard systems, the Eisenhower has a range of capabilities suitable for missions such as maritime security, expeditionary power projection, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counterterrorism, information operations, security cooperation and counter-proliferation.

It can also support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation, says the Navy.

The Eisenhower, commissioned in 1977, has completed two major modernizations to equip it with the latest capabilities.

The ship continues to be a top line platform, with the Navy looking at extending its service life beyond its planned 2027 inactivation date.

The service is trying to ensure it has the necessary carrier capabilities available to meet its requirements as it brings new Gerald R. Ford-class carriers into service and retires its oldest Nimitz-class ships.

Regional deterrence

The Eisenhower brings its full complement of combat and support capabilities wherever it is deployed.

The carrier arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on November 4 as part of an increased US military posture in the region after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, the Navy announced.

It joined the USS Gerald R. Ford CSG as part of efforts to deter Iran and the Hizbullah terrorist group in Lebanon and Iran.

The arrival of a second CSG in the Mediterranean brings additional naval and aviation assets, increasing capabilities and flexibility for the US 5th Fleet, said the Navy.

Shortly after arriving in the region, the two CSGs drilled with a pair of Italian frigates in the eastern Mediterranean.

The training covered "high-value unit defense, ballistic missile defense, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations and maritime security operations," reported the Navy Times.