Ford Carrier Strike Group Departs Europe for Latin America

The Trump administration is dramatically increasing U.S. military firepower in Latin America. As the administration continued to strike vessels belonging to alleged narco-traffickers while escalating pressure on the regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, the Pentagon directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on Friday to depart the Mediterranean and sail to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility.

While Washington is right to pay attention to threats in the Western Hemisphere, the military buildup in the Caribbean will undermine the Pentagon’s readiness to address threats from China and Russia.

Ford CSG en Route to SOUTHCOM

The Ford CSG, which departed from Naval Station Norfolk on June 24 for a scheduled deployment to U.S. European Command, will bring considerable military capabilities to SOUTHCOM.

With its embarked carrier air wing, the Ford can employ F/A-18 fighter/attack aircraft, as well as surveillance and electronic warfare aircraft, augmented by the large strike capacity of its guided missile destroyer escorts. CSG deployments are typically six to nine months, meaning the Ford and its escorts could bring these capabilities to the region for several months since the strike group is only four months into its deployment.

The CSG consists of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the nine squadrons of its carrier air wing, and its Arleigh Burke-class destroyer squadron. After completing NATO exercises in the North Sea in September, the Ford returned to the Mediterranean and was reported in the Adriatic on October 24 with two of its destroyer escorts operating independently in the Red and Arabian Seas.

Large Military Buildup and Increased Focus on Latin America

The Ford will join a large buildup of forces in SOUTHCOM. Roughly 10,000 troops were reported in the region by October 17, including an amphibious ready group and Marine expeditionary unit, three destroyers, one cruiser, and aircraft including F-35 fighters, surveillance aircraft, and MQ-9 Reaper drones in Puerto Rico. American B-52 and B-1 bombers also conducted flights near Venezuela this month.

The military buildup comes as the administration is working on its national security and defense strategies, which early reports suggest will place increased emphasis on the Western hemisphere. Publication has been delayed amid reports that senior military officials are concerned the strategy could compromise deterrence in the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

Additional Requirements Require Increased Defense Spending

With the arrival of the Ford CSG, reports suggest that up to 14 percent of the Navy’s combat fleet and roughly one-fifth of its deployed fleet will be located in SOUTHCOM. Following the Ford’s departure, no U.S. aircraft carriers will be deployed in the Middle East or in Europe, where Washington and its allies have failed to apply sufficient military and economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt his war of conquest against Ukraine.

In light of necessary post-deployment maintenance and training, the deployments in the Caribbean, especially if they are extended, will impact the ability to generate forces for future crises involving China and Russia.

The Trump administration is focusing more attention on America’s own hemisphere, where China, Russia, and Iran, all members of the Axis of Aggressors, are active. However, any attempt to better defend American interests and security in the Western Hemisphere should not rely solely, or even primarily, on the military tool of national power.

A one-dimensional approach will fail and create additional opportunities for China, Russia, and Iran in Latin America. Moreover, if the Pentagon is required to conduct more missions in Latin America but not given the necessary additional resources, U.S. military readiness will erode, risking otherwise preventable aggression in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Critically, the administration and Congress should respect the constitutional roles of each branch of government when it comes to war powers. The administration also needs to better explain to Americans the interests at stake and present them with a realistic plan that enjoys bipartisan support to accomplish the desired objectives.

Cameron McMillan is a senior research analyst at FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), where Bradley Bowman is senior director. RADM (ret.) Mark Montgomery is senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).