B-52 Arrival
U.S. B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron are parked on a flight line May 8, 2019. The B-52H can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations to support stability in the region. The Bomber Task Force is deployed to U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to defend American forces and interests in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Gardner)

The Acting Secretary of Defense has approved the movement of USS Arlington (LPD-24) and a Patriot battery to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as part of the command’s original request for forces from earlier this week.

These assets will join the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a U.S. Air Force bomber task force in the Middle East region in response to indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against U.S. forces and our interests.

ARABIAN SEA – An F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), makes final preparations to land aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Jan. 9, 2019. The Essex is the flagship for the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th MEU, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. A. J. Van Fredenberg/Released)

The Department of Defense continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime, their military and proxies.  Due to operational security, we will not discuss timelines or location of forces.

The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we are postured and ready to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region.

USS Arlington is a San Antonio-class ship that transports U.S. Marines, amphibious vehicles, conventional landing craft and rotary aircraft with the capability to support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions.

USS Arlington also provides a high quality command and control capability and improved interoperability with our allies and partners in the region.

A Patriot battery is a long-range, all-weather air defense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.

Abraham Lincoln transits Suez Canal

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Catie CoyleUSS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

Meanwhile, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F 104), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) departed the U.S. 6th Fleet and entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) sails under the Peace Bridge while transiting the Suez Canal. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) is deployed to U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in order to defend American forces and interests in the region. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12), Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7); as well as the Spanish navy lvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F 104). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian M. Wilbur/Released)

ABECSG has been conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations for several weeks, but expedited their transit to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to protect U.S. forces and interests in the region. ABECSG will be positioned by CENTCOM where it will best be able to protect U.S. forces and interests in the region and to deter any aggression.

“Our Navy exists to deter conflict, ensure freedom of the seas, preserve our strategic interests and those of our allies, and respond to crises around the world,” said Rear Adm. John Wade, commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve. “We have trained hard and worked diligently to ensure we are prepared and ready to conduct a whole host of missions wherever and whenever required.”

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), front left, The French Marine Nationale aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (F 91), front right, the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), the Royal Danish navy frigate HDMS Niels Juel (F 363), and the French air defense destroyer FS Forbin (D 620) transit in formation in the Red Sea, April 15, 2019. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Skyler Okerman)

Carrier strike groups are inherent maneuver forces that offer commanders the ability to flexibly respond to a wide variety of missions and contingencies, and are capable of being redeployed rapidly across U.S. combatant command boundaries.

“One of our strengths as a strike group has been teamwork, led by Rear Admiral Wade’s positive emphasis on ‘team of teams,’” said Capt. Sean R. Anderson, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2. “We really have the planning and coordination foundation in place that reaches well beyond our strike group, to aid our success.”

ABECSG has executed a rigorous training and readiness phase, developing and perfecting the warfighting capabilities of all strike group units through scenarios of increasing complexity and intensity designed to improve interoperability and engagement with allies and partners, and demonstrate the combat power and flexibility of naval forces.

The Suez Canal is a 120-mile long narrow channel that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The expedited transit of ABECSG through the Suez and into the 5th Fleet area of operation demonstrates the flexibility of a multinational, multi-platform unit to respond whenever and wherever is required.

ABECSG provides a wide range of mission capabilities to include maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, security cooperation, and humanitarian assistance.

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed to CENTCOM area of responsibility in order to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12), Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7); as well as the Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F104).