US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on November 2 that additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadrons, tanker aircraft and several B-52 long-range strike bombers would be sent to the Middle East region.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder issued a statement Friday saying the deployments are consistent with U.S. resolve to protect U.S. civilians and military forces, defend Israel, and “de-escalate tensions through deterrence and diplomacy” in the region. .
According to Major General Ryder, deployment of these forces will begin in the coming months and will arrive in the region in place of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. He noted that these moves build on Israel’s recent deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system and the continued presence of the Department of Defense (DoD) Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) in the eastern Mediterranean. Are based.
Major General Ryder also said that Defense Secretary Austin has made clear that if Iran, its partners, or allies use this status to target US personnel or interests in the region, the US will do everything possible to protect its people. Will take necessary steps.
