Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the measures were in response to “the recent escalation by Iran and its proxy forces throughout the Middle East,” but did not specify how many US forces and naval air groups would be deployed there.
Austin noted that he had “detailed conversations” with President Joe Biden on this matter and thus ordered “a series of additional actions to strengthen the Department of Defense’s position in the region.”
The Pentagon chief noted that he had redirected the transfer of the strike group from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Central Command area of responsibility, which joins the area of responsibility of the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is currently operating in the region. Middle Eastern.
He confirmed that the deployment of an air defense battery had been activated, in addition to additional Patriot battalions.
Austin added, “Finally, I issued orders to prepare for deployment to a number of additional forces, as part of prudent emergency planning.”
He concluded: “I will continue to evaluate the needs of our forces in the region and study the possibility of deploying additional capabilities if necessary.”
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