USS Tripoli Arrives in Middle East With 3,500 Marines as Iran War Intensifies
Key Takeaways
- USS Tripoli arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in the Middle East.
- The deployment includes about 3,500 sailors and Marines aboard the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group.
- Pentagon plans weeks-long ground operations in Iran.
Tripoli Arrives With Marines
The USS Tripoli arrived carrying about 3,500 sailors and Marines.
It brings transport and strike fighter aircraft and amphibious assets.
The deployment marks America's largest force buildup in the Middle East in more than two decades.
Ground Combat Forces Included
Of the 2,200 Marines embarked, approximately 1,200 are ground combat forces.
The USS Tripoli is an America-class big deck amphibious assault ship.
The warship was previously based in Japan and was redirected to the Middle East.
More Forces En Route
Additional forces are en route, including the USS Boxer.
Roughly 2,500 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division are also deploying.
11,000 Targets Struck
CENTCOM reported over 11,000 targets struck since February 28.
More than 200 U.S. troops have been wounded and 13 killed.
Iran fired missiles and drones at Prince Sultan air base, injuring at least 10 U.S. personnel.
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