As the USS Abraham Lincoln left Guam, the aircraft carrier’s captain announced to the crew that recent U.S. strikes against Houthi missiles and drones in the Middle East were a reminder of the environment they were heading into.

The Lincoln is scheduled to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt later this month after passing through the South China Sea. It will be the fourth U.S. carrier sent to the region since the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, signaling America’s intention to prevent further escalation.

As Israel prepares for a possible attack from Iran and regional militias in response to the assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas officials, the U.S. has sent reinforcements while pushing for a cease-fire deal in Gaza.

On board the Lincoln, crew members said they were ready for what could be a long mission. On the flight deck and in the hangar, mechanics worked on F-18 and F-35 fighter jets that could play a central role in countering attacks against Israel and other targets, such as commercial ships.

Critics argue these deployments offer little deterrence and carry significant risks. The U.S. military has been targeted in the region before, and sending American military assets could draw the U.S. into a wider regional conflict.

The Houthis have used missiles and drones to attack ships in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed group claims they are targeting vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., and the UK, but ships with no such ties have been hit.

Accompanying the Lincoln are destroyers equipped with Tomahawk missiles and air defense systems to intercept missiles and drones.

Senior officers on the Lincoln have been providing regular updates about developments in the Middle East since the ship was ordered to deploy to the region in early August.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor jets have also recently arrived in the Middle East as a show of force intended to deter Iran and its allies. U.S. Central Command announced the move on Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, but did not disclose how many jets have been deployed or their exact locations.

While the Lincoln will bring additional firepower, including the only Marine Corps F-35 squadron on an aircraft carrier, preparations include planning for duties across the ship. Crew members operating machine guns will switch to round-the-clock operations to guard against attacks by small boats.

The Lincoln crew learned of the Middle East deployment after the ship left San Diego last month.