US forces placed on ‘prepare-to-deploy orders as second carrier strike group arrives in Middle East

A second US carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East and a number of their forces have been placed on “prepare-to-deploy orders.”

The arrival of the second US carrier strike group is to bolster American military “regional posture” as Israel has the “right to defend itself” following the 7 October attacks in southern Israel which killed at least 1,400 people.

Senior US defense officials in the Middle East said they are there “in support of Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism and to contain the violence.”

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“The strike group is commanded by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 and comprised of flagship aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with its nine squadrons, and the Information Warfare Commander,” Centcom said in a statement.

The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that they have also sent a deployment of Patriot battalions and a high-altitude defense battery to provide protection for US forces in the region.

A senior defense official said, “an additional number of forces have been placed on prepare-to-deploy orders to increase their readiness and ensure rapid response if required.”

Adding, “Our carrier strike groups give us the ability to launch operations independently, anywhere in the world and immediately upon arrival.

“When we send them somewhere, we are deliberately sending an incredibly strong signal to our adversaries, but also to our allies and partners about the depth of our support, and the ability of the US military to expeditiously, dynamically respond to contingencies anywhere in the world.”