More than 3,000 sailors and Marines have been deployed to the Middle East by the U.
S. Navy in response to recent attempts by Iran to seize commercial ships in the CENTCOM area of operations, according to an announcement made on Monday.
The forces from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the Middle East on Sunday, as confirmed by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM).
The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 50) and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) entered the Red Sea after transiting from the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. The Bataan ARG/26th MEU units bring additional aviation and naval assets, as well as more U.S. Marines and Sailors, providing greater flexibility and maritime capability to U.S. 5th Fleet, according to CENTCOM.
The statement from CENTCOM also highlighted the capabilities of the amphibious assault ship and dock landing ship. An amphibious assault ship can carry more than two dozen rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, including MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and AV-8B Harrier attack jets, in addition to several amphibious landing craft. A dock landing ship also supports operations for various rotary-wing aircraft, tactical vehicles, and amphibious landing craft.
The Bataan ARG departed Norfolk on July 10, while the 26th MEU, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is capable of conducting amphibious missions, crisis response, and designated special operations, among other abilities.
The decision to deploy additional troops was made in response to Iran's recent attempts to seize commercial ships in the CENTCOM area of operations. In the past two years, Iran has attacked, seized, or attempted to seize nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels in the region, according to CENTCOM.
The escalating situation has prompted the U.S. military to consider placing armed personnel onboard commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint in the maritime world and has a significant impact on seaborne trade globally. Iran's threats to affect this chokepoint have raised concerns about the security of commercial shipping in the region.
The deployment of additional troops and assets aims to enhance the U.S. military's presence and capabilities in the Middle East, ensuring the protection of commercial ships and maintaining stability in the CENTCOM area of operations.
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