US forces, ships, and bombers are prepared in the Middle East in case the crisis worsens
Hezbollah has accused Israel of crossing a “red line” with attacks on its communications infrastructure and has vowed to continue missile strikes.
The U.S. has maintained an increased military presence in the Middle East over the past year, deploying around 40,000 troops, at least a dozen warships, and four Air Force fighter jet squadrons throughout the region.
This force is intended to protect allies and deter potential attacks, according to several U.S. officials.
Recent spikes in attacks between Israel and Hezbollah have raised concerns about the potential for a broader conflict.
Hezbollah has accused Israel of crossing a “red line” with attacks on its communications infrastructure and has vowed to continue missile strikes.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a “new phase” in the war, focusing on the northern front against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Despite these developments, the U.S. has not indicated plans to increase its troop levels. The current military presence includes:
Troops
The usual deployment is about 34,000 U.S. forces in U.S. Central Command, which covers the Middle East. This number increased to around 40,000 during the early months of the Israel-Hamas conflict and recently spiked to nearly 50,000 when two aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships were ordered to stay in the region. One carrier strike group has since moved to the Asia-Pacific.
Warships
The U.S. currently has one aircraft carrier in the region. Previously, there were two carriers present at times. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its destroyers are in the Gulf of Oman, with additional destroyers in the Red Sea. The USS Georgia guided missile submarine is in U.S. Central Command, but its exact location is not specified. Six U.S. warships, including the USS Wasp amphibious assault ship and three Navy destroyers, are in the eastern Mediterranean.
Aircraft
The Air Force recently added a squadron of advanced F-22 fighter jets, bringing the total number of land-based fighter squadrons in the Middle East to four. This force also includes A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, F-15E Strike Eagles, and F-16 fighter jets. The F-22s provide advanced capabilities for air defense and electronic warfare. In addition, the U.S. demonstrated its capability to strike targets from outside the region in February with B-1 bombers from Texas that attacked targets in Iraq and Syria.
The increased U.S. military presence supports various missions, including defending Israel, countering the Islamic State group, and addressing threats from Iranian-backed groups in Yemen.
