🔎🇺🇸Data Points Suggest USS Ford’s Atlantic Pivot is Already Underway
@andynovy put out a great analysis earlier today... While I disagree with the 30 knots sustained, it got me thinking that I should take another look at the data points we have....
While we wait for official confirmation, multiple data points suggest the USS Gerald R. Ford is already on its way to SOUTHCOM.
The deployment (IMO) is less of a question mark and more of a 'when, not if' scenario:
Logistical Rush: The crucial replenishment ship USNS Supply dropped off AIS west of STROG, sailing at 26.1 knots (faster than her reported top speed). This high speed signals a high-priority rush (yes, I know, it could be winds, etc. but there is no reason for her to even push close to that unless my hypothesis is true).
The Timeline: At this speed, Supply can cover the ~3,055 nm distance to the safe operating zone (East of T&T) in just ~5 days (or 6.25 days at 20 knots).
The Vector: Her bearing (when she dropped AIS) of 250 degrees puts her on the fastest, most direct course to the only safe operating zone for the Ford—the area east of Trinidad & Tobago and north of Guyana/Suriname, ~300 miles from the Venezuelan coast.
The Forecast: The US Navy already has a carrier in the Caribbean; it's called Puerto Rico which would put Fords AoR likely in the Atlantic
@Schizointel @Arr3ch0 @daopz @LatinMilAv
Many moving pieces in SOUTHCOM as the Ford Carrier Strike Group steams toward the Caribbean & POTUS considers striking land targets in Venezuela.
Visualizing U.S. force posture, w/ illustrative Tomahawk Land Attack Missile & Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile strike packages: