According to two US defense officials who spoke with CNN, a US Marine rapid response unit comprising 2,000 marines and sailors has been dispatched to the waters near Israel by the Pentagon.
“[The unit] will join a growing number of US warships and forces converging on Israel as the US seeks to send a message of deterrence to Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah,” CNN reported.
“The USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship that is operating with the USS Bataan, is also sailing toward Israel,” CNN reports.
The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stationed aboard the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship capable of accommodating more than 20 aircraft, was deployed to the Red Sea in August.
This deployment aimed to address the Iranian naval presence in the Persian Gulf waters, and it was conducted in conjunction with the USS Carter Hall landing ship, the Cradle reported.
Both of these vessels are set to join two US carrier groups in the Eastern Mediterranean, namely the USS Gerald Ford and the USS Dwight Eisenhower, which can transport around 10,000 personnel, fighter jets, helicopters, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.
The USS Ford is accompanied by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser Normandy and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt, all of which possess capabilities for surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
Additionally, the Pentagon announced on Monday that a separate “defense force” comprised of 2,000 service members had been placed on an expedited pre-deployment status.
Written by staff
B.C. Begley 