Pentagon to Deploy Third Aircraft Carrier Strike Group to Middle East, Increasing US Troop Presence

NEW YORK, October 2. /TASS/. The Pentagon will deploy a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, increasing the US military presence in the region by another 9,000 to 10,000 servicemen, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

According to the newspaper, the ships, fighter jets, Marines, and sailors are expected to arrive in the region by the end of November. The article noted that US President Donald Trump is considering resuming strikes against Iran after the midterm elections and recently told aides that he expects to resume the bombings in November.

The Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier departed San Diego on September 27 as part of a scheduled deployment. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of three ships carrying Marines from the 13th Expeditionary Unit, also set sail on September 28.

Currently, the George H.W. Bush and George Washington aircraft carriers are already in the Middle East. If the George Washington remains in the region after the Theodore Roosevelt arrives, it will be the first time since April that the US has three aircraft carrier strike groups concentrated there at once.