US warships, planes ready to fight as more violence grips the Middle East

• Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has turned the Middle East even more upside down.
• In response, the US has said it plans to adjust its force posture in the region.
• A strong force of American warships and fighter jets is already on station, with more to come.

The US military has a substantial force of warships and fighter jets stationed in the Middle East and is moving even more firepower into the region as it prepares for an escalation of the conflict.

The Middle East, already in turmoil after nearly a year of fighting, was further shaken by Israel’s killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah, in a massive airstrike in the Lebanese capital. Beirut, Friday.

Nasrallah’s assassination marked a major escalation in the year-long conflict between Israel and the group and came amid Israeli military pressure on Hezbollah, raising concerns that the two bitter enemies could be heading for an all-out war that could draw US forces and maybe even Iran.

The US has publicly stated that it stands ready to defend Israel and protect its forces in the Middle East from any attack by Iran or its regional proxies.

As the fighting intensified, the US was already bracing for more violence. In a statement on Nasrallah’s death, President Joe Biden said Saturday that he had directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin the day before to “further enhance the defense posture of US military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and to reduce the risk of more extensive action. regional war”.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder then said on Sunday that the US “retains the ability to deploy forces at short notice.” He added that the army maintained a “significant” presence in the region and could adjust its force posture “depending on the evolution of the security situation”.

As part of those efforts, Ryder said Austin ordered the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to remain in the Middle East region, where it has been operating for several weeks. The strike group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several destroyers.

Austin also ordered the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group to remain in the eastern Mediterranean, where it has been for several months.

This assortment includes the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which can be deployed to evacuate Americans. In addition, the group has a dock landing ship and an amphibious transport dock ship.

Beyond the carrier strike group and the amphibious ready group, the US Navy has destroyers operating in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.

US warships are complemented by land-based aircraft, including the F-22, F-15, F-16 and A-10, which provide fifth-generation fighter and fourth-generation fighter capabilities, as well as proven strike options on the ground. Ryder said the US would “further strengthen our defensive air support capabilities in the coming days.”

“The secretary has also increased the readiness of additional U.S. forces to deploy, elevating our readiness to respond to various situations,” Ryder said.

The Pentagon revealed on Monday that it is sending more forces, including fighter squadrons, to the region. He previously said he would send a small number of additional troops, but details were unclear.

The changes to the position of US forces in the region followed a massive increase in Israeli military pressure on Hezbollah, which began earlier this month after a sophisticated attack that Israel is suspected of carrying out. It has now launched devastating airstrikes targeting militant assets. Dozens of civilians were also killed and injured.

The Israeli strikes have dealt a severe blow to Hezbollah, including removing its leadership, but the heavily armed militant group has suggested it is still ready for war.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials continue to suggest that the country is preparing for a full-scale ground invasion of Lebanon, which would be Israel’s first such operation since 2006 and would mark another major escalation of the conflict.

“The elimination of Nasrallah is a very important step, but it is not the final one,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops near the northern border with Lebanon on Monday.

“Our goal is to ensure the (safe) return of communities in northern Israel to their homes. We are prepared to make every effort necessary to accomplish this mission,” Gallant said. “We will use whatever means may be necessary — your forces, other forces, air, sea and land.”

It is unclear whether a final decision has been made regarding the ground invasion. On Monday, Israeli special operations forces were reported to be conducting raids in Lebanon, possibly in preparation for an invasion. Diplomatic efforts to bring Israel and Hezbollah to the negotiating table have been unsuccessful.