The US has strengthened its military posture in the Middle East amid unrest. Here’s where those assets are deployed.
The United States has progressively enhanced its military presence in the Middle East in response to the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, with escalating tensions following Israel’s military actions against Hezbollah. This year alone, U.S. forces stationed in the region have played a role in helping Israel thwart two Iranian attacks. On October 1, Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean launched about 12 interceptors against Iranian missiles, with officials reporting that around 200 missiles were aimed at Israel.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his pride in the “skill and bravery” demonstrated by U.S. forces involved in countering the Iranian assault. He emphasized, “We will never hesitate to safeguard our troops and interests in the Middle East, and to bolster the defense of Israel and our allies in the region”.
As of August, approximately 40,000 U.S. military personnel were positioned in the Middle East. This military presence is intended to convey a strong deterrent message and to protect against potential assaults on Israel or U.S. forces when needed. Over the past year, there have been numerous low-level attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-affiliated groups, although these incidents have decreased in frequency in recent months.
In early August, Austin announced the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the area, which arrived later that month. This strike group comprises thousands of sailors and Marines, including three destroyers and a carrier air wing. By early October, the Lincoln aircraft carrier, along with its air wing consisting of eight squadrons, was stationed in the Gulf of Oman, while the guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane, USS Spruance, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. were operating in the Red Sea.
The Navy has several other destroyers and capabilities deployed in the region. The Amphious Ready Group (ARG) and the 24th Expeditionary (ME) Special Operations Capable consist of around 4,500 sailors and Marines. This group includes USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, alongside USS New Orleans, an amphibious transport ship, and the Oak Hill, a dock ship.
The MEU serves as one of the United States’ primary crisis response teams, with a key mission being the capability to conduct non-combatant evacuation operations for American citizens. In fact, the 24th MEU successfully executed such a mission in 2006, evacuating thousands of Americans from Lebanon during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
By early October, the ARG MEU, along with the USS Bulkeley, USS Cole, and USS Arleigh Burke, were active in the Eastern Mediterranean, while the USS Murphy, USS Indianapolis, and USS Stockdale were operating in the Red Sea.
In addition to the extensive Air Force assets already in the region, which include fighter jets, transport aircraft, and tankers, the Pentagon announced on Sunday that additional air support capabilities were being sent to the Middle East. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that this deployment includes F-22, F-16, and F-15E aircraft along with associated personnel, amounting to “an additional few thousand” forces.
The Army maintains a significant number of conventional ground forces in the Middle East, equipped with various air defense and artillery systems, including Patriot missile systems, counter-drone technologies, and High Artillery Systems (IMARS).
