The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is heading back to San Diego after an extended deployment in the Middle East. Since October, the U.S. Navy has bolstered its carrier presence in the region in response to tensions following the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel.

The Pentagon’s rare move to keep two Navy aircraft carriers in the Middle East over the past several weeks has now finished.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered the Roosevelt to extend its deployment for a short time and remain in the region as the USS Abraham Lincoln was pushed to get to the area more quickly.

The aircraft carrier has been operating in the Gulf of Oman with the USS Abraham Lincoln, another San Diego-based carrier.

The United States had both aircraft carrier battle groups on-site for nearly three weeks, as a show of support for Israel during its ongoing war with Hamas.