NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk-based USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is expected to deploy to Europe next week near the Middle East, putting a third aircraft carrier near the conflict between Israel and Iran, per CNN reports.
The deployment to the Navy’s fifth and sixth fleet has been scheduled for a several months. How, if at all, it will be involved in the fighting was unclear as of Wednesday.
Watch: Trump weighing US military involvement in Israel-Iran conflict
As of Wednesday, two Norfolk-based destroyers, the USS Truxtun and USS Forest Sherman, were already in the region.
News 3 asked Virginia’s two U.S. Senators about the Israel-Iran conflict and their message for deployed sailors.
“I think those sailors, and their friends and families in Hampton Roads, are owed by this President a clear explanation of what American policy is on this conflict," said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia.)
Watch: New Israeli strikes hit Tehran as Iran warns that U.S. involvement would risk 'all-out war'
During a regularly-scheduled talk with reporters Wednesday, Warner expressed frustration about what he felt was a lack of clear communication from the White House about escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
“We have seen endless foreign wars in that region and I think Americans, frankly, thought Donald Trump was not going to put us in another one of those endless foreign wars," Warner said.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) said the U.S. had about 40,000 troops in the region as of Wednesday.
Watch: Iran's leader rejects call to surrender, saying US intervention would cause 'irreparable damage'
News 3 asked him what he thinks the Navy's role in the conflict should be.
“Iran has made plain, if the U.S. joins Israel’s war against us, then U.S. troops will be a target. You would not, frankly, expect them to say otherwise. That’s one of many reasons why I think we should stay out of a war against Iran," Kaine responded.
He also believed getting involved in a war in the Middle East would take away some of the United States' focus on China, which he said is the biggest threat to the U.S.
Watch: Trump claims trade deal with China is 'done,' hints at tariff changes
When asked about his message for the sailors and their families, Kaine said he was praying for them.
“I will just say to families, I’m the father of a Marine reservist. I care very, very deeply about our military families," said Kaine.
With the Ford Carrier Strike deployed, the U.S. will have three carriers in the region. The Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman Carrier strike Group returned from the region at the end of May 29-June 1.
