A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft provides close air support to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) during a training exercise in the Arabian Gulf, Feb. 2, 2026. Santa Barbara 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 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page)

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts routine flight operations in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 30. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cesar Zavala)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 3, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zoe Simpson)

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class USNS Henry J. Kaiser (TAO-187) in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 31, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zoe Simpson)

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts routine flight operations in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 30, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman)

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 28, 2026) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 28. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zoe Simpson)

EILAT, Israel (Jan. 30, 2026) – Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) approaches Eilat, Israel for a scheduled routine port visit, Jan. 30. Delbert D. Black is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 27, 2026) U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Gabriel Marshall conducts maintenance on an M61A2 gatling gun aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Jan 27. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Samuel Evarts)

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 27, 2026) U.S. Navy Seaman Dominic Fernandez, front, and U.S. Navy Operations Specialist Seaman Marquis Jones stand watch as helmsman and lee helmsman on the bridge aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Jan. 27. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Samuel Evarts)

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025. The F-16 played a key role in executing airpower missions, deterring aggression, and participating in broader security across the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Monteleone)