I am a civilian with a dumb question. What is there to prevent an attack on the aircraft carrier while she is transiting the Suez Canal?
Sane Egyptians do not want a nuclear accident in their moneymaking canal. Which attacking a nuclear carrier could produce. It might never reopen. Will the sane ones remain in control? It’s a matter for faith.
Not much, really. Yet we transit the Suez several times every year and nothing has happened. I've always enjoyed the transit. Some parts are really beautiful with cities, resorts, hotels, beaches and lots of vegetation. It looks like Roosevelt hit this section at night. It's a 14-18 hour transit depending on traffic. Sometimes you have to anchor out for hours just to wait your turn.
Heading south from the Med, the resorts and cities are on the west side of the canal. The east side is mostly desert with military outposts dotted along the way. Egyptian military driving jeeps shadow us from the east side and Egyptian Coast Guard is always nearby. And if you notice on the port side, two Navy helicopters in alert status, armed and ready to fly if needed.
I suppose there's nothing to prevent someone from taking an RPG shot or small arms fire at us. Wouldn't do anything to a carrier. When I transited last year, they made all non-essential personnel stay inside the skin of the ship. Previously, everyone used to all be allowed to hang out on the flight deck and sight-see. In the populated areas, little kids will stand on the shore and throw rocks. They don't even come close to hitting us. They splash into the water a hundred feet away. Others wave and take photos.
The best part about entering Suez from the Med, tax free pay! The best part about entering Suez from the Red Sea, we're going home!