The USS Tripoli, carrying 3,500 U.S. sailors and Marines, has arrived in the Middle East, U.S. Central Command announced today in a post on X, as the Pentagon considers its next steps in the conflict with Iran.
“U.S. sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on March 27,” CENTCOM said, CNN reports.
Such units have traditionally been used for missions such as large-scale evacuations and amphibious operations that require movement from ship to shore, including raids and assaults. They also include ground and air combat components, and some units are trained for special operations.
A source familiar with the deployment previously told CNN that the presence of this unit gives commanders additional options for a wide range of potential scenarios.
