Current:Home > MyUS moves carrier to Middle East following attacks on US forces-InfoLens
US moves carrier to Middle East following attacks on US forces
View Date:2024-12-23 20:02:50
The Pentagon announced late Saturday that it will send an aircraft carrier and air defense systems to defend U.S. military troops in response to a growing number of attacks on U.S. facilities, presumably by Iranian-backed groups as tensions mount amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Additional U.S. military forces in the U.S. have also been placed in a higher state of readiness for a possible future deployment to the Middle East on short notice.
In a major change, the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower and its strike group of a cruiser and destroyers is being redirected to the Middle East instead of to the eastern Mediterranean where it was supposed to join the USS Ford strike group as an additional deterrent for Iran and Hezbollah from broadening the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
MORE: US Navy destroyer in Red Sea shoots down cruise missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen: Pentagon
"Following detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released late Saturday night.
"These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for U.S. forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel," he added.
Over the last week, there have been a growing number of security incidents involving drone and rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq that appear to have been carried out by Iranian-backed groups opposed to the U.S. support of Israel in its war against Hamas.
A U.S. citizen working as a contractor at Al Asad airbase in western Iraq died from a cardiac episode during an attack on the base last Wednesday.
In the most visible attack on Thursday, the destroyer USS Carney intercepted four missiles and 15 drones fired from Yemen, by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia that the Pentagon said may have been headed towards targets in Israel.
At the time, the destroyer was located in the central Red Sea and used SM-2 air defense missiles and other capabilities to bring down the Houthi missiles and drones.
MORE: How the US military's moves, including 2,000 Marines, will play into the Israel-Gaza conflict
Austin is also adding more air defense systems and troops to the Middle East to protect U.S. military forces in the region including a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Air Defense) missile battery and additional Patriot air defense battalions.
"Finally, I have placed an additional number of forces on prepare to deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required," said Austin.
"I will continue to assess our force posture requirements in the region and consider deploying additional capabilities as necessary," he added.
The additional air defense units being sent to the Middle East were likely among the more than 2,000 U.S. military forces that Austin had placed on prepare to deploy orders last week. Those additional personnel were told to be ready to deploy on 24 hours' notice if needed and included units specialized in air defense, security, logistics, medical support, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, transportation, and other capabilities.
veryGood! (35)
Related
- DWTS’ Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten Have the Best Reaction to Fans Hoping for a Romance
- The Best Faux Fur Coats for Your Inner Mob Wife Aesthetic
- 'Did you miss me?': Meghan McCain talks new show, leaving 'The View,' motherhood
- He killed 8 coyotes defending his sheep. Meet Casper, 'People's Choice Pup' winner.
- 'SNL' stars jokingly declare support for Trump, Dana Carvey plays Elon Musk
- Once in the millions, Guinea worm cases numbered 13 in 2023, Carter Center’s initial count says
- US warned Iran that ISIS-K was preparing attack ahead of deadly Kerman blasts, a US official says
- Puerto Rico averts strike at biggest public health institution after reaching a deal with workers
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Walgreens to pay $275,000 to settle allegations in Vermont about service during pandemic
Ranking
- Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
- South Dakota Senate OKs measure for work requirement to voter-passed Medicaid expansion
- Jackson, McCaffrey, Prescott, Purdy, Allen named NFL MVP finalists
- Dancer Órla Baxendale Dead at 25 After Eating Mislabeled Cookie
- Are Ciara Ready and Russell Wilson Ready For Another Baby? She Says…
- School choice measure will reach Kentucky’s November ballot, key lawmaker predicts
- Map: See where cicada broods will emerge for first time in over 200 years
- Golden syrup is a century-old sweetener in Britain. Here's why it's suddenly popular.
Recommendation
-
1 dead, 2 children injured in wrong-way crash; driver suspected of DWI: Reports
-
Russell Wilson gushes over wife Ciara and newborn daughter: 'The most beautiful view'
-
Kansas City Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco runs so hard people say 'You run like you bite people'
-
Rights group reports more arrests as Belarus intensifies crackdown on dissent
-
New York eyes reviving congestion pricing toll before Trump takes office
-
WWE's Vince McMahon accused of sexual assault and trafficking by former employee. Here are 5 lawsuit details.
-
Mislabeled cookies containing peanuts sold in Connecticut recalled after death of New York woman
-
Kerry and Xie exit roles that defined generation of climate action