Pentagon Sends Largest Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East, Says Military Aid Will Soon Reach Israel
The Pentagon will send aircraft and its largest aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean in a show of force to support Israel in its war against Hamas terrorists, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement Sunday.
The Pentagon will begin transferring an unspecified amount of security assistance to Israel, including ammunition, Sunday that is expected to reach the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in “the coming days,” Austin said in the statement. Meanwhile, Austin, at the direction of President Joe Biden, has ordered the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford along with its strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean and moved to enhance fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.
“We have also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region,” Austin said. “The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required,” Austin said.
The Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and greatest aircraft carrier and was already deployed to the Mediterranean when Israel’s parliament formally approved a war declaration on Hamas attackers Sunday morning. Israel has not gone to war since 1973.
Movement of U.S. forces nearer to Israel will “strengthen Department of Defense posture in the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts,” Austin said. The decision came after detailed discussions with the president. (Read more from “Pentagon Sends Largest Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East, Says Military Aid Will Soon Reach Israel” HERE)
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