US conducting nightly missions to enforce Hormuz blockade, straining aircraft, crew - report

The US military is conducting nightly missions over the Strait of Hormuz to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports and protect commercial vessels, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Pilots and crew aboard the USS George Washington described strain from around-the-clock operations. CENTCOM said Iran has not exported any oil since the blockade. The US has 50,000 troops and 20 ships in the region, costing $2–3 billion per month.

The US military is conducting nightly missions over the Strait of Hormuz to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports and protect commercial vessels from Iranian projectiles, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Pilots and aircrew aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier described daily operations and around-the-clock defense of the strait. The airspace is only about 20 miles wide but crowded with aerial objects, giving pilots a small window to react to threats. Rear Adm. Jeffrey Heames stated that US forces reliably shoot down threats to commercial shipping. CENTCOM reported that Gulf partners have exported over 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since summer, and over 3,000 vessels transited safely. CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper said Iran has not exported any oil since the blockade. However, the frequency of operations strains aircraft, crew, and maintenance staff. Adm. Daryl Caudle noted a ship maintenance hub on Diego Garcia and more port calls planned. Some officials worry the resource-intensive operations may affect US ability to respond to other crises. The US has 50,000 troops and 20 ships in the Middle East, costing $2–3 billion per month.