I thought KH was to be retired.
Yep, Kitty Hawk is being retired, no plans to the contrary.
A “Fleet” is an administrative unit, not a set number of ships.
If the money is available, she’ll be retro’d to be in service if needed in the area (cheaper than building new)....looks like some elements may play in the Gulf too as well as the KH. The Navy needs a good training carrier and they are usually older boats but have lots of life left in them.