FLASH
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The message given by Antony Blinken to all countries that America will defend Israel at all costs, the USA seems to have begun to turn it into a mission, as it has launched a second warship towards the Eastern Mediterranean.
After sending a strike group led by the world's largest warship, the $18 billion USS Gerald R. Ford, to the aid of their ally a week ago, a second group has headed for the region embroiled in tensions.
On orders from the Pentagon, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was deployed Friday from Norfolk, Virginia, is headed for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The aircraft carrier was originally set to sail to the waters of the US European Command, but seeing the conflict between Hamas and Israel flare up, it will be stationed much closer to the heart of the conflict.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the departure of the second attack group from America. He has clarified that US warships are not intended to join the fighting in Gaza or participate in Israel's operations, but the presence of two of the navy's most powerful ships will be used to send a deterrent message to Iran. , which has threatened involvement in the conflict, but also Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"The moves are part of our efforts to deter hostile actions against Israel or any attempt to expand this war following Hamas's attack on Israel," Austin said.
Eisenhower, which is the flagship of the carrier strike group, will consist of a guided-missile cruiser and two guided-missile destroyers in addition to the battleship.
The warship in question can carry more than 60 aircraft, including F/A-18 fighter jets, while the USS Gerald R. Ford can carry more than 75 aircraft.
But despite the fact that the Biden administration has made it clear that US naval forces are not in the Eastern Mediterranean to engage in combat activities on behalf of Israel, CNN has learned that the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (a force of capable of conducting special operations) is making preparations in case it is ordered to strengthen the presence of US forces in Israel.
The unit, which is aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, consists of more than 2,000 Marines and sailors and will be able to support a large-scale evacuation. Among the essential mission tasks for a Marine Expeditionary Unit are evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance.
Meanwhile, US Air Force Central announced on Saturday the deployment of F-15E fighter jets and A-10 attack jets to the region.
"The movement of combat aircraft from the 494th Fighter Wing and the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Wing strengthens the U.S. posture and improves air operations throughout the Middle East," the Air Force said in a statement.
A US Central Command post on social media said the A-10 would join another squadron of aircraft already in the region, while Defense Secretary Austin said F-16 fighter jets were also deployed to the region.
"By deploying advanced combat aircraft and integrating with joint and coalition forces, we are strengthening our partnerships and strengthening security in the region," Alexus Grynkewich, 9th Air Force commander, said in a statement.
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