The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and its strike group departed Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday for a regularly scheduled deployment, the Navy announced.

The Navy did not provide details on the destination of the carrier, but with the USS Gerald R. Ford currently sidelined with maintenance issues outside the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, there is a warship vacancy in the Middle East that it could potentially fill.

“Our sailors are ready and able to do the nation’s bidding,” said Rear Adm. Alexis T. Walker, commander of Carrier Strike Group Ten, which is embarked with Bush.

The carrier strike group — which encompasses more than 5,000 personnel — includes the flagship carrier, along with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Ross, USS Donald Cook and USS Mason.

Carrier Air Wing 7, which is embarked on George H.W. Bush, includes nine aircraft squadrons.

In preparation for its deployment, Carrier Air Wing 7 flew 1,586 sorties and logged 693 arrested landings during the day and 682 at night as part of its Composite Training Unit Exercise, which it completed on March 5.