Special to WorldTribune.com

The United States’ air strike capabilities against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) may take a serious hit this fall as the U.S. will be without an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf for the first time since 2007.

Adm. John Richardson, the Obama administration’s nominee for chief of naval operations, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that there will be a two-month gap this fall when the U.S. does not have a carrier in the Gulf. The U.S. will have 11 aircraft carriers when the USS Gerald Ford enters service next year.

“Without that carrier, that will be a detriment to our capability, yes, sir,” Richardson said during questioning from Sen. John McCain.

Currently, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is deployed in the Gulf and one-third of the air missions against ISIL originate from the carrier. The Roosevelt carrier strike group was also recently deployed to Yemen.

“So, now you believe that land-based air can replace the presence of a carrier?” McCain asked.

Experts say not having a carrier in the Middle East is a mistake.

“It reduces the president’s options,” said Bryan McGrath, former naval officer who now runs the consulting firm FerryBridge Group. “Aircraft carriers are so powerful because we can relatively quickly move it in position where we need it and use it without anyone’s permission.”

The U.S. was recently given permission to use Turkey’s air base at Incirlik for bombing runs.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended the gap in carrier operations amid Obama administration budget cuts, current Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert told Stars and Stripes.

“In the intent of the Joint Staff, it was determined that appropriate replacement or substitute can be made for a carrier or carrier strike group,” Greenert said.

  Adm. John Richards, Sen. John McCain, U.S. to withdraw carrier from Gulf amid Obama budget cuts, USS Theodore Roosevelt, WorldTribune.com