U.S. Sending 1,000 Additional Troops to Middle East

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Image – U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Clint Davis

The United States is sending an additional 1,000 soldiers to the Middle East following suspected Iranian attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.  The troops were requested by the head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie.

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan released a statement addressing the deployment.  “The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region,” he said, adding that the troops are “for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East.”

The move follows recent deployments to the region of 1,500 other troops, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, and B-52 bombers.  Those resources were deployed in response to possible impending attacks from Iran or its proxies cited by the White House.

Senior North America Analyst, U.S. Defense Budget Analyst, and Military Force Structures of the World Analyst at Forecast International | + posts

As editor of International Military Markets, North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. Shaun's perspective on defense procurement and budget issues has been cited in a variety of defense periodicals, including Defense News and National Defense Magazine. Further, Shaun played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast product, which offers an unprecedented level of insight into the Pentagon's acquisition budget. In addition to providing original analytical content for the U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, Shaun oversees an internal defense budget forecasting process involving Forecast International's team of skilled systems analysts following release of the DoD's annual budget request. Shaun is also in charge of managing Forecast International's Weapons Inventory database.

About Shaun McDougall

As editor of International Military Markets, North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. Shaun's perspective on defense procurement and budget issues has been cited in a variety of defense periodicals, including Defense News and National Defense Magazine. Further, Shaun played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast product, which offers an unprecedented level of insight into the Pentagon's acquisition budget. In addition to providing original analytical content for the U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, Shaun oversees an internal defense budget forecasting process involving Forecast International's team of skilled systems analysts following release of the DoD's annual budget request. Shaun is also in charge of managing Forecast International's Weapons Inventory database.

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