Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States, citing budget constraints, has
reduced its military presence in the Gulf.

The Defense Department said the U.S. Navy would reduce the number of
aircraft carriers in the Gulf to one. The Pentagon decision ends the
presence of at least two carriers in the Gulf as part of U.S. efforts to
counter Iran’s threats to Gulf Cooperation Council states.

“This prudent decision enables the U.S. Navy to maintain these ships to deploy on short notice in the event they are needed to respond to national security contingencies,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

Officials said the reduction of the Navy’s carrier presence in the Gulf
would save more than $400 million. They said the decision stemmed from a request by the Navy to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

“Facing budget uncertainty — including a Continuing Resolution and the looming potential for across-the-board sequestration cuts — the U.S. Navy made this request to the secretary and he approved,” Little said on Feb. 6.

Under the decision, the Navy canceled plans to deploy the USS Harry S. Truman to the Gulf in February 2013. In December 2012, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was recalled from the Gulf, but expected to return to the region by March.

Officials said the arrival of Eisenhower would enable the withdrawal of
the USS John C. Stennis to the United States. They did not say how long the
Navy would deploy only one aircraft carrier in the Gulf.

The reduction of the aircraft carriers in the Gulf came in wake of a
series of confrontations between Iran and the U.S. Navy. Iran has claimed
the interception of at least four Navy unmanned aerial vehicles during U.S.
reconnaissance flights in 2012.

“The United States will continue to maintain a robust military presence
in the Centcom region, including the current carrier presence and a mix of
other assets, to fulfill enduring commitments to our partners,” Little said.

  ‘Budget uncertainty’ moves U.S. to cut aircraft carrier presence in Gulf, And then there was one: ‘Budget uncertainty’ cuts U.S. carrier presence in Gulf, George Little, Leon Panetta, Pentagon, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Harry S. Truman, USS John C. Stennis