by David Hawkins
The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has announced that the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has entered the Caribbean Sea as part of the pre-planned Southern Seas 2026 deployment, a move that comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and communist Cuba.
The deployment follows a series of increasingly aggressive actions by the Trump administration toward Cuba’s communist regime, including newly unsealed federal criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and renewed discussion of potential military options against the island nation.
Powerful Carrier Strike Group Deploys to Caribbean
According to SOUTHCOM, the deployment includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), Carrier Air Wing 17, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG-101), and the replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201).
Carrier Air Wing 17 brings significant combat capability to the region, including F/A-18E Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and C-2A Greyhound aircraft.
“Welcome to the Caribbean, Nimitz Strike Group!” SOUTHCOM said in a statement.
“The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) are the epitome of readiness and presence, unmatched reach and lethality, and strategic advantage.”
Officials also highlighted the carrier’s extensive operational history.