US carrier strike group embarks on a scheduled deployment amid Middle East tensions

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The United States' most advanced aircraft carrier left its base in Virginia Tuesday for a regularly scheduled deployment that could position it near Israel after the U.S. inserted itself in Israel's war to destroy Iran's nuclear program.

The U.S. was already planning to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford when American warplanes bombed three Iranian sites early Sunday. Iran retaliated with a limited missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was still “in effect” on Tuesday, although he expressed frustration that both sides had violated the truce he brokered.

The situation was on the minds of many who cheered when the Ford steamed from its pier in Norfolk, with tugboats hugging the carrier's hull and sailors lining the sprawling deck in their white dress uniforms.

“I'm nervous,” said Lindsey Young, whose 32-year-old husband Michael Young is an aviation maintenance officer. “Especially with everything going on in the world. And three kids, by myself, too.”

Young held the couple's 10-month old baby, while her 8-year-old and 10-year-old stood nearby clasping small American flags. When her husband was away on his last deployment, Young said she had a severe allergic reaction, her car tire popped and the dog got hit by a car.

“He was safe — everything at home went wrong,” Young said with a laugh. before adding that this deployment feels different “with Iran and everything going on.”

The Ford will sail for the European theater of command, which includes waters off Israel's Mediterranean coast. The presence of the aircraft carrier and its accompanying warships gives Trump the option of a third carrier group in the Middle East if needed.

Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the carrier strike group, told reporters they're initially headed to the European theater but that, “we're mobile and maneuverable.”

“Within one day, we can move this whole strike group 700-plus miles,” he said.

The Ford was previously sent to the Eastern Mediterranean to be close to Israel after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in 2023. Warships also sailed into the Red Sea, where they intercepted missiles fired at Israel and attack drones launched at the ships from Houthi-controlled Yemen.

From November 2023 until January 2025, the Iranian-backed Houthis waged persistent attacks against commercial and military vessels in what the group’s leadership described as an effort to end Israel’s war against Hamas.

U.S. Navy sailors saw incoming missiles seconds before they were destroyed by their ship’s defensive systems. Pentagon officials have talked about how to care for returning sailors, including counseling for possible post-traumatic stress.

The Houthis paused attacks in May under a deal with the U.S., but recently said they would resume them if the Trump administration joined Israel’s military campaign against Iran.

Lanzilotta said they're “100% prepared" for any such attacks, while the Navy has been constantly updating its training with new information "for all of the threats that you might see.”

The Ford is the first in the Navy’s new class of advanced aircraft carriers, which are designed to carry a wider variety of planes and operate with several hundred fewer sailors. Nearly 4,500 sailors departed Tuesday in a strike group that includes fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers.

“I am not worried about our sailors — they’re extremely resilient,” the admiral said, adding that world events have bolstered an even greater sense of purpose.

Young, the Navy spouse and mother of three, said she knows her husband “is making a difference, too. I know he's his kids' hero, too.”

Cindy and Michael Forrest said their son Andrew, 28, a weapons officer, is excited despite the danger. He left a job in business — no longer wanting to sit behind a computer — to join the Navy.

Cindy Forrest said she's less enthused than her son and worries about his safety and mental health. Her husband said he's not too concerned about recent events in the Middle East because, "there’s always something going on in the world.”

Frank Garcia said bidding farewell to his son, Francisco Garcia Jr., 20, a culinary specialist, was “one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.”

But he said his son is excited, even though he'll miss the birth of his first child.

“He’s wanted to do this since he was a kid,” Garcia said. “So first and foremost, he's defending his country. And then he’s got a family to come home to.”

Latoya Savoy said she was holding it together emotionally while her 19-year-old daughter, who works in aviation ordinance, was preparing to deploy.

“I just want her to make it back home,” said Savoy, an Army veteran. “I told her to stick with her buddies and just pray. She has her bible with her.”

Latoya Savoy stands in front of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Naval Station Norfolk with her daughter (unnamed), a U.S. Navy sailor who works in aviation ordinance on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

Cindy and Andrew Forrest came to send off their son, surface warfare officer Andrew Forrest, 28, on the USS Gerald R. Ford as the aircraft carrier prepares to leave for deployment from Naval Station Norfolk, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

Sailors raise the Colors as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier prepares to go underway from Naval Station Norfolk, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, gives remarks as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier makes final preparations to leave Naval Station Norfolk, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

Family and sailors wave as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Naval Station Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

Tugboat Ft. Bragg gets into position to maneuver the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier out into the James River as the capital ship prepares to leave Naval Station Norfolk, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Naval Station Norfolk, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

FILE - The USS Gerald R. Ford, arrives in Halifax, on Oct. 28, 2022. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

LONDON (AP) — Jannik Sinner has taken the second set 6-4 against Carlos Alcaraz to level the Wimbledon men's final at 1-1.

Alcaraz won the first set 6-4 in a highly anticipated meeting that comes just five weeks after the pair played an epic match to determine the French Open champion.

But Sinner broke the Spaniard in the opening game of the second set and then held serve the rest of the way. That was despite being interrupted by a fan in the stands popping open a champagne bottle as Sinner was getting ready to serve out the game at 2-1 up. The cork landed at Sinner's feet, causing Alcaraz to raise both hands and shake his head in frustration.

Sinner lost the following point but went on to hold for a 3-1 lead.

The matchup at Centre Court between the No. 1-ranked Sinner and No. 2 Alcaraz marks the first time the same two men faced off in the title matches on the clay at Roland-Garros and the grass at the All England Club in the same year since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal did it in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Alcaraz, a 22-year-old from Spain, defeated Sinner, a 22-year-old from Italy, in five sets spread over 5 hours, 29 minutes in Paris on June 8, coming back from a two-set deficit and saving three match points along the way.

That made Alcaraz 5-0 in Grand Slam finals, including victories in 2023 and 2024 at Wimbledon.

He also carries a career-best 24-match winning streak into Sunday and has beaten Sinner five times in a row.

Sinner owns three major trophies and is playing in his fourth consecutive Slam final — but first at the All England Club.

He won the U.S. Open last September and the Australian Open this January.

Sinner is wearing the tape and arm sleeve to protect his right elbow that he has been using since falling in the opening game of his fourth-round win on Monday. After eliminating 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, Sinner said he didn't think his elbow would be an issue on Sunday.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain slips as he returns a shot by Italy's Jannik Sinner in the men's singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Joanna Chan)

Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men's singles final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Britain's Prince William, right, Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at the Royal Box to watch Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their men's singles final match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Crowds pack the stands of Centre Court before Italy's Jannik Sinner plays Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the men's singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Jannik Sinner of Italy and Novak Djorkovic of Serbia shake hands after the men's semifinal singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Joanna Chan)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates winning the men's semifinal singles match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 11, 2025.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

FILE - Winner Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, right, and second placed Italy's Jannik Sinner pose with trophies after the final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)