An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, launches from the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway, March 17, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
The Pentagon’s build up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East, the largest in decades, began in late January as tensions with Iran started escalating.
The actual numbers of U.S. military ships, planes, and service members deployed to the region is classified, but the following information is based on previous reports.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), transits the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, March 22, 2026. Gerald R. Ford is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, …
US Navy assets in the Middle East
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is operating in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury with Arleigh Burke class destroyers — the USS Spruance, USS Michael Murphy, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Pinckney — in support.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with three destroyers — the USS Mahan, USS Winston S. Churchill, and USS Bainbridge — are also in the region.
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron flies over Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, May 10. The 492nd trains regularly to ensure RAF Lakenheath brings unique air combat capabilities to the fight. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. …
US military air assets in the Middle East
The air assets deployed to the Middle East include dozens of fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, F-15s and F-16s, F-15E Strike Eagles, US Navy carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornets, and B-2 Bombers.
Last Friday, an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran. One of two crew members was rescued shortly afterward and an intense search was launched for the other crew member. On Sunday, the airman was rescued behind enemy lines after an extensive search-and-rescue operation.
U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct an airborne operation from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter onto Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 12 February 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Alvin Ca …
Thousands of US military personnel in the region
There are now more than 50,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East, which is 10,000 more than usual. The uptick in troops includes thousands of Marines and U.S. Navy sailors and some 2,000 soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina who deployed to the region last month.
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The Pentagon usually maintains around 40,000 American troops on bases in the region and at sea on ships deployed there.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX News, The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Orlando.