Increased Deployment of Bombers and Fighter Jets to Middle East as Carrier Strike Group Leaves for Mission

November 2, 2024 TruthUSA

The Pentagon announced that additional forces are expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming months.

The United States is set to deploy more bombers, fighter jets, and warships to the Middle East to bolster its military presence as a carrier strike group prepares to leave, according to a statement from the Pentagon on Friday.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, tanker aircraft, and B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region, as confirmed by Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder in a statement.

Ryder mentioned that these additional forces will be arriving in the coming months coinciding with the departure of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group from the region.

He emphasized, “These movements showcase the adaptable nature of the U.S. global defense posture and its ability to deploy worldwide at short notice to address evolving national security threats.”

Ryder affirmed that the Pentagon chief has made it clear that any targeting of American personnel or interests by Iran, its associates, or its proxies will prompt the United States to take all necessary measures to safeguard its people.

The Pentagon did not specify the number of troops that will be part of these deployments. Ryder previously stated in August that there are around 40,000 U.S. service members stationed in the region.

The Pentagon previously announced plans to strengthen its defensive air support capabilities in the region and put additional U.S. troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to the Middle East.

On Oct. 16, the U.S. military utilized B-2 long-range stealth bombers to target Iran-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, as reported by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) which oversees the Middle East.

The U.S. has been increasing its military presence in the region as Israel continues its ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and retaliates against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel also conducted retaliatory strikes on military sites in Iran on Oct. 26, raising concerns that tensions in the region could escalate further as Iran has threatened retaliation.

The Israel Defense Forces stated that the Oct. 26 strikes were in response to “months of continuous attacks” by the Iranian regime against Israel. Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles into Israel on Oct. 1, with many intercepted by Israeli missile defenses with support from U.S. naval destroyers.

Austin previously warned that Iran should not retaliate to Israel’s strikes and should view it as the conclusion of their exchange.

Tensions between Iran and Israel heightened after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities and approximately 250 hostages. Israel responded with strikes in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas control, reported over 43,000 fatalities due to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

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