U.S. Deploys Second Marine Amphibious Force to Middle East

The United States Marine Corps has begun deploying a second amphibious force toward the Middle East, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group—comprising USS Boxer, USS Comstock and USS Portland—has departed the U.S. West Coast carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

A typical air combat element of the group includes advanced aircraft such as the F-35B Lightning II, MV-22 Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom.

The deployment comes as another amphibious group centered around the USS Tripoli, carrying approximately 2,500 Marines, continues its movement through the South China Sea toward the same theatre.

The simultaneous movement of two Marine expeditionary forces suggests a significant build-up of U.S. rapid-response capabilities in the region, typically used for crisis response, force projection and contingency operations.

The development follows recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that the United States does not require assistance from allies and described the conflict as effectively won.See more, Full Details. .