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USS Nimitz Flight Operations in the Red Sea l Photos

With the likelihood of a military strike against Syria growing, the U.S. Navy has positioned the USS Nimitz and the other ships in her carrier strike group in the Red Sea. Although a strike against the forces of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in retaliation for their alleged use of chemical weapons against rebels is likely to be carried out primarily by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the four Navy destroyers positioned in the eastern Mediterranean, the Nimitz and her aircraft give the U.S. more options. These options might become necessary amidst reports last week that the Pentagon was asked by the Obama Administration to expand the target list in Syria. The Nimitz was on her way home from the Arabian Sea after a months-long deployment that saw her air group flying missions over Afghanistan. As the debate continues regarding the authorization of the use of military force in Syria, the Nimitz stands ready.

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Steven Hoarn is the Editor/Photo Editor for Defense Media Network. He is a graduate of...