US Navy presence in the Eastern Mediterranean sea

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, which includes the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG consists of three ships: USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS New York (LPD-21), and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) with the support of the supply ship USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201).

The 24th MEU is comprised of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24, which serves as the Logistics Combat Element.

In addition to the ARG, the Navy has also deployed several guided-missile destroyers to the region, including:

• USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported at Naval Station Rota.
• USS Cole (DDG-67), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

It is possible, according to press reports, that some of these units contributed to intercepting some of the missiles launched by Iran towards Israel on the evening of October 1st.