CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower deployed on 13 October 2023 to what was planned to be a European deployment in the 6^th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) cooperating and training with NATO allies. CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower the flagship of Carrier Strike Group TWO (CSG-2) has Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) embarked comprising eight operational squadrons. The presence of CSG-2 has played a crucial role in countering threats posed by opposing hostile forces in the region.

With the unexpected events taking place on 7 October 2023 the planned deployment area of operation was altered and reassigned to the 5^th Fleet AOR with CSG-2 positioned in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. With this change of plans the Carrier Strike Group found themselves in a hostile and challenging environment during most of their deployment starting on their arrival on 4 November 2023.  Patrick Roegies and Ben Gorski embarked CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and assessed the situation on the strategic importance of the Carrier Strike Group deployment focusing on the capabilities of CVW-3 ‘Battle Axe,’ and their operational engagements with all hostile opposing forces, logistics support, and the broader implications for regional stability.