DOD deploys more than 3,000 additional military personnel in the Red Sea

Naval Forces Central Command reported that more than 3,000 U.S. military personnel from Bataan's Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Marine Expeditionary Unit 26 (MEU) arrived in the Middle East. This deployment was previously announced by the Department of Defense.

"Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 50) and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) entered the Red Sea after transiting from the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Bataan ARG/26th MEU units bring to the region additional aviation and naval assets, as well as more U.S. Marines and Sailors, providing greater flexibility and maritime capability to U.S. 5th Fleet," the command explained.

In addition, the command detailed that the amphibious assault ship can carry more than two dozen rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, including MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft, in addition to several amphibious landing craft. "The Bataan ARG departed Norfolk, Virginia on July 10 with Amphibious Squadron 8, Fleet Surgical Team 8, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Assault Craft Unit 4, Beach Master Unit 2 and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit," the command said.

Fifth Fleet spokesman Commander Tim Hawkins told AFP that the deployment "adds to efforts to deter destabilizing activity and de-escalate regional tensions caused by Iran's harassment and seizures of merchant vessels."