This post has been updated with new information on the position of USS Arlington The amphibious warship is currently in 6th Fleet and not currently in 5th Fleet.
The Pentagon is sending amphibious warship USS Arlington (LPD-24) and elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to join the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group as a hedge against Iran, according to a Friday Pentagon statement.
“USS Arlington is a San Antonio-class ship that transports U.S. Marines, amphibious vehicles, conventional landing craft and rotary aircraft with the capability to support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions,” read the statement.
“Arlington also provides a high-quality command and control capability and improved interoperability with our allies and partners in the region.”
The Lincoln CSG was ordered to depart the Mediterranean Sea for U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) area of operation, “in response to indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against U.S. forces and our interests,” according to the statement
CENTCOM Commander Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie asked for the Lincoln CSG and a detachment of B-52 Stratofortress bombers to be sent to the region, following assessments made a week ago by the U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton about a “number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings.”
On Thursday, the Lincoln CSG left the Mediterranean and transited the Suez Canal, officially entering U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command.
As of Saturday, Arlington was in 6th Fleet operating as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) are currently operating in 5th Fleet.
Shanahan also ordered a U.S. Army Patriot missile battery to U.S. Central Command as part of the command’s original request for forces from earlier this week.
“A Patriot battery is a long-range, all-weather air defense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft,” read the statement.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the Patriot deployment on Friday.
The Lincoln CSG deployed on April 1, as the start of a planned around-the-world cruise so USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) can relocate later this year to its new homeport in San Diego, Calif. As part of the deployment, the Lincoln CSG was expected to operate in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Western Pacific.
“The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we are postured and ready to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region.
The following is the May 10, 2019 statement from the Pentagon.
Statement from the Department of Defense on Additional Forces to U.S. Central Command
The Acting Secretary of Defense has approved the movement of USS Arlington (LPD-24) and a Patriot battery to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as part of the command’s original request for forces from earlier this week.
These assets will join the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a U.S. Air Force bomber task force in the Middle East region in response to indications of heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations against U.S. forces and our interests.
The Department of Defense continues to closely monitor the activities of the Iranian regime, their military and proxies. Due to operational security, we will not discuss timelines or location of forces.
The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, but we are postured and ready to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region,” the Pentagon said.
USS Arlington is a San Antonio-class ship that transports U.S. Marines, amphibious vehicles, conventional landing craft and rotary aircraft with the capability to support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions.
USS Arlington also provides a high quality command and control capability and improved interoperability with our allies and partners in the region.
A Patriot battery is a long-range, all-weather air defense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.
