The United States is steadily increasing its military presence in the Gulf as the conflict with Iran enters its second month. “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint US-Israeli air campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, has been ongoing for over four weeks, resulting in thousands of casualties in Iran.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday the deployment of a third aircraft carrier, the USS George HW Bush, to join the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald Ford undergoing maintenance in Croatia. These carriers carry thousands of sailors, Marines, and specialized support personnel.
Al Jazeera provides an overview of the forces sent to the Middle East and their combat capabilities. A Carrier Strike Group (CSG) consists of an aircraft carrier, fighter jets, escort ships, and support units, while an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) serves as a mini aircraft carrier for launching sea-to-land invasions.
The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a rapid-response force of 2,200 to 2,500 personnel from the US Marine Corps. Two MEUs, the 31st and 11th, have been deployed to the Middle East, with a total of 50,000 US troops already stationed in the region. MEUs are essential for sea-based combat, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief.
The United States Marine Corps maintains seven active Marine Expeditionary Units, with three typically deployed or forward-positioned at any given time. MEUs have a history of involvement in US invasions, including operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Venezuela.
