The Protection Division has taken steps to additional improve the protection posture of U.S. forces all through the Center East area to discourage aggression and mitigate the danger of a broader regional battle, the Pentagon introduced over the weekend.
The announcement comes as tensions within the area have heightened following Israel’s focused assassination of terror group Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon on Friday.
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III spent the weekend offering steerage to his crew and receiving updates on developments within the Center East, in response to a press release issued Sunday by Pentagon Press Secretary Air Power Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
“Secretary Austin harassed that the US is decided to forestall Iran and Iranian-backed companions and proxies from exploiting the state of affairs or increasing the battle,” the assertion reads.
“Austin made clear that ought to Iran, its companions, or its proxies use this second to focus on American personnel or pursuits within the area, the US will take each crucial measure to defend our individuals,” the assertion continues.
The measures DOD is taking embody ordering the united statesAbraham Lincoln service strike group to stay within the U.S. Central Command space of operations previous its common rotation date; reinforcement of U.S. air protection capabilities; and utilizing U.S. forces rotating into the area to enhance moderately than substitute forces already there, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh informed the media immediately.
“Secretary Austin and division leaders stay centered on the safety of U.S. residents and forces within the area, the protection of Israel and the de-escalation of the state of affairs by deterrence and diplomacy,” Singh mentioned.
Although not in a position to get into particular timelines and numbers because of operational safety issues, Singh mentioned that among the augmented forces being despatched to the area embody F-16, F-15E and F-22 fighter plane, in addition to A-10 assault plane and related personnel.
“The secretary additionally elevated the readiness of extra U.S. forces to deploy, elevating our preparedness to reply to varied contingencies,” Singh mentioned.
“And DOD maintains strong and built-in air protection capabilities throughout the Center East … making certain the safety of U.S. forces within the area,” she added.
When requested whether or not the Protection Division has any direct data of a retaliatory assault on Israel by Iran and/or Hezbollah, Singh mentioned that, although DOD is not conscious of any particular plans, it is essential to take all of the rhetoric coming from Iran significantly.
“That is one thing we’re watching extremely carefully; whether or not it’s a response from Iran, from Hezbollah … [or] the proxy teams in Iraq and Syria,” Singh mentioned, including that concern about such a response is the driving drive behind the choice to bolster the U.S. drive posture within the area.
“We take that rhetoric very significantly,” Singh mentioned, “and we imagine that we [need to] have the potential within the area to defend our forces and — in fact, if wanted — to return to the protection of Israel.”
