USS Bataan left Mediterranean Sea

After the departure of the USS Gerald Ford, the presence of a limited US naval aviation group was ensured by the USS Bataan (LHD-5), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, and its AV-8B+ aircraft from the USMC.

However, this morning, the American unit crossed the Strait of Gibraltar heading west, leaving the Mediterranean.

USS Bataan (LHD 5) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship westbound in the Strait of Gibraltar – March 6, 2024 #ussbataan #lhd5

SRC: INST- jr_amon_ceuta_shipspotting pic.twitter.com/hUiQIFU7pK

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) March 6, 2024

As of today, there are no longer any American naval units capable of transporting fixed-wing aircraft.

It is the first time in over two years that it is up to European navies to ensure the projection of air power in the Mediterranean Sea.