NORFOLK, Va. — The Pentagon announced Saturday that the Norfolk-based Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has been redirected to the Middle East amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it is in response to recent escalations by Iran and proxy forces across the region. He didn't specify where exactly the strike group is going but said it is in the Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
RELATED: US Navy warship in Red Sea intercepts three missiles, several drones heading north out of Yemen
The redirecting comes after the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was originally ordered to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to assist in the Israel-Hamas conflict. It was planned to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in an "effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas's attack on Israel."
The strike group deployed from Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 14 and includes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), and the Florida-based destroyer USS Mason (DDG 107), which left from Naval Station Mayport.
Several aircraft squadrons from Norfolk and Virginia Beach are also part of the deployment.
In his Saturday announcement, Austin also said he is expanding air defense systems in the region, including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and additional Patriot battalions.
He also placed additional forces on standby to deploy "as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required."