The US will send warships and B-52s to the Middle East as the aircraft carrier leaves

The US announced on Friday that it will send Navy ships, B-52 bombers, fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and refueling aircraft to the Middle East. This is a reassignment of military forces as the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group gets ready to leave the area.

In a statement, the Pentagon said that moves would happen in the next few months and showed how flexible the U.S. military is when it comes to moving around the world.

“If Iran, its allies, or its goons use this chance to attack American citizens or interests in the area, the US will do everything it takes to protect our people,” a Pentagon spokesman, Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, said in a statement.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, the United States has had as many as two aircraft carriers in the Middle East over the past year. Tensions have been rising rapidly.

When the Lincoln leaves, there will be a gap in the fleet of aircraft carriers until another one comes into the Middle East.

The most recent change to U.S. troops in the area comes after Israel and Iran fired directly at each other in October. Israel is also fighting Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which are backed by Iran. Israel has also launched strikes in Yemen after Houthi forces backed by Iran attacked.

When Israel is attacked, the US has promised to help protect it and keep U.S. troops safe in the Middle East. These forces have been attacked by groups backed by Iran in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and off the coast of Yemen.