In these hours, thanks to Sergio Scandura’s report, we are witnessing significant congestion in the Ionian Sea.
Several NATO units are navigating the area, with some of them seemingly heading towards the Strait of Messina.
Specifically:
- The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) is present in the area with its Carrier Strike Group.
- Two Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport units, the USNS Carson City (JHSV-7/T-EPF-7) and the USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8), are also in the area heading west.
- The replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195) is also navigating the area, possibly bound for Augusta.
- Further south, the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base (ESB) USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4) is heading to the Western Mediterranean, passing south of Sicily.
- An unidentified French unit, possibly the frigate FS Lorraine (D 657), which returned to the Mediterranean via the Suez two days ago, is also navigating the area. It will soon transit through the Strait of Messina.