FALCON POWERS – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the acceleration of the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group to the Middle East, bringing the number of U.S. aircraft carriers in the region to two.
In a tweet on the X platform, Austin reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defending Israel, noting the strengthening of U.S. military capabilities in the Middle East. He also ordered the deployment of the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia to the region.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a press release that the USS Abraham Lincoln, which includes F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, has entered CENTCOM’s area of responsibility.
The statement added that the “Lincoln” is leading the third carrier strike group, which also includes a destroyer squadron (DESRON-21) and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9). The “Lincoln” is expected to replace the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) stated that the number of U.S. troops in the Middle East has increased to around 40,000, compared to 34,000 under normal circumstances. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the United States is closely monitoring the regional situation and is enhancing its military capabilities to protect Israel and its forces in the region.
