Damn sure this is the flashpoint the Deep State expects to kickstart WW3, or at least an Iraq on steroids in order to bog down Trump admin and creating another sinkhole of tax money and american blood.
This mirrors the events of the Gulf of Tonkin incident, where a false flag operation destroyed the USS Maddox and dragged America into Vietnam.
I think OP is observing that a "soon to be decomissioned" aircraft carrier being reassigned to a very, very dangerous location rather than a newer a/c carrier is quite suspicious. I agree. "Nearly done" ships, airplanes, etc. are often used by the Deep State for "sacrifice missions" unless they are attempting a "tech sabotage" operation. In that case they destroy the prototype or first production item.
It is important to note that the number of US naval ships in operation was actually intentionally sabotaged (decreased/slowed production) by Bush Jr., and Obama in order to allow China to catch up. So it COULD just be a self-created shortage issue.