US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a strengthening of the US military presence in the Middle East, where tensions have escalated again. Austin has ordered two aircraft carriers with an accompanying group of ships to be present in the region.
The news followed a conversation between the Defense Secretary and his Israeli counterpart.
Before Pentagon deployed the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with F-35C and F/A-18 fighters on board and an accompanying group of destroyers in the region. It was planned to replace the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier already there. Two aircraft carriers with a group of ships are therefore to be present in the area.
Exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah
Decision to strengthen presence USA was taken after Israel carried out preemptive airstrikes on Lebanonafter discovering that Hezbollah was preparing a major attack on the Jewish state. Shortly thereafter, Hezbollah shelled northern Israel.
A few days ago, an additional nuclear-powered submarine, Georgia, arrived in the eastern Mediterranean. The unit is equipped with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Two weeks ago, F-22 aircraft also arrived in one of the Middle Eastern countries. These are some of the most advanced American fighters, used exclusively by the US Air Force.
Main image source: www.gov.il