The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) are set to depart the United States within the next week for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Area of Responsibility, likely positioning in the Mediterranean. While officially bound for Europe, the deployment places the Ford and its strike group within rapid reach of the Eastern Mediterranean near Israel—should the U.S. choose to enter the conflict with Iran.