U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.
Reinforcing this commitment, Secretary Austin has ordered the deployment of a US navy aircraft carrier to the Middle East, the Pentagon said on Sunday.
Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, equipped with F-35C fighters, as part of the U.S. response to the escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel.
In a statement, the Pentagon said Austin had ordered the Abraham Lincoln strike group to accelerate its transit to the region, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.
Additionally, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the Central Command region.
The Defense Department continues to move vessels and aircraft across the Middle East to improve U.S. force protection, increase the defense of Israel and ensure the United States can respond to a range of contingencies, said recently the Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh at a press briefing.
