The USS Arlington and a Patriot missile defense battery will join the carrier strike group and bomber task force deployed to the Persian Gulf earlier this week, the Pentagon announced Friday.
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan approved the deployment as part of U.S. Central Command’s request for additional forces earlier this week, said a Pentagon statement. He did not offer time lines or locations of the forces citing concern for operational security.
“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 the U.S. forces and our interests.”
The USS Arlington is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, which facilitates the amphibious deployment of Marines into war zones via landing craft. The Department of Defense did not state how many Marines were on board, though Navy specifications show San Antonio-class ships are capable of housing more than 600 Marines. The ship can also serve as a take-off area for helicopters and other vertical take-off vehicles.
Patriot missile batteries are long-range air defense systems designed to protect against ballistic missiles and aircraft. The platform was made famous during its deployment in the Gulf War, successfully defending Israel and Saudi Arabia against Scud missiles launched by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Iran is known to have one of the largest ballistic missile stockpiles in the Middle East.
The Pentagon deployed the USS Lincoln carrier strike group and a contingent of Air Force B-52 bombers to the Gulf earlier this week in response to Iranian provocation. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced Wednesday his country would resume uranium enrichment, a key step toward a nuclear weapon, unless the signatories of the Iran nuclear deal agree to new terms in 60 days. Later that day, the White House announced a new round of sanctions on Iranian metal exports.
