US marine warships move toward Mediterranean amid concerns over wider Middle East conflict

Three US Marine warships are moving into the Mediterranean region amidst Israel Hamas war likely to escalate into a wider Middle East conflict. Scores of aircraft were dispatched to the Middle East, and American special operations forces are working with Israel's military in planning and intelligence. As of Tuesday, five shipments of US weapons and equipment had arrived in Israel.

Washington : Within hours of the horrific October 7 attack by Hamas, the US began moving warships and aircraft to the region to be ready to provide Israel with whatever it needed to respond. On Tuesday, more ships and forces were heading toward Israel, and other troops in the US were preparing to deploy if called on.

One US aircraft carrier and its strike group are already in the eastern Mediterranean and a second one has left the US and is heading that way. In addition, three Marine warships are moving into the region. Scores of aircraft were dispatched to US military bases around the Middle East, and American special operations forces are working with Israel's military in planning and intelligence. As of Tuesday, five shipments of US weapons and equipment had arrived in Israel.

The buildup reflects growing US concern that the deadly fighting between Hamas and Israel will escalate into wider regional conflict. So the key mission for American ships and warplanes is to establish a large and visible presence that will deter Hezbollah, Iran or others from taking advantage of the situation.
A look at what weapons and assistance the US military is providing:

NAVY SHIPS AND PLANES

One of the most visible examples of the US response is in the waters surrounding Israel an array of massive warships are in or moving toward the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group was ordered to go to the Eastern Mediterranean within hours after the attack, and on Tuesday the Pentagon said the ship's six-month deployment in the region has been extended and gave no end date.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in recent days ordered the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to join the Ford in the Eastern Mediterranean, and those ships are now heading across the Atlantic Ocean. On Tuesday, the Pentagon said it was sending the USS Bataan amphibious ready group, which consists of three ships carrying thousands of Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, into the region.

A US official said the USS Mesa Verde, an amphibious transport dock, is in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship, were in the Gulf region and are now heading toward the Red Sea. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details on ship locations.

The ships carry helicopters and assault craft that can insert Marines into hostile territory or provide medical care or other assistance. The warships, particularly the aircraft carriers with their fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, have historically proven to be an effective deterrent against Iranian and other militant activity in the Middle East.