US redirects carrier strike group, deploys THAAD to increase US force …

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower and its strike group are being shifted for deployment for better US force protection in the Middle East. (Michael Fabey)

The United States has shifted the USS Dwight D Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Central Command area of responsibility (AOR) and deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for US forces, the Pentagon confirmed on 21 October.

“Following detailed discussions with [US] President [Joe] Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense's posture in the region,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

“These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for US forces in the region, and assist in the defence of Israel,” Austin said.

“I redirected the movement of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group to the Central Command area of responsibility,” Austin said. “This carrier strike group is in addition to the USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. It will further increase our force posture and strengthen our capabilities and ability to respond to a range of contingencies.”

Before its shift to the Middle East, the Eisenhower CSG was initially expected to join the Ford CSG in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.