U.S. Marine Unit Heading to Middle East

Marine Corps aviators could take on a larger role as the Iran conflict enters a precarious new phase.

Zach Vasile

Monday, March 16, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II [Credit: U.S. Navy]

Key Takeaways:

Additional U.S. Marines and sailors, including an amphibious group with approximately 5,000 personnel and F-35B stealth fighters, are being deployed from Japan to the Middle East.
This deployment supports ongoing joint American-Israeli military operations against Iran, which are now in their third week and have targeted thousands of Iranian sites.
The conflict has led to Iran shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, causing global energy prices to rise, and U.S. forces may play a role in securing the strait or conducting raids on Iranian territory.

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Additional U.S. Marines and sailors are being sent to the Middle East as joint American-Israeli operations against Iran enter their third week.

Defense officials cited by The Wall Street Journal said an amphibious group and an attached Marine expeditionary unit currently based in Japan are being deployed to the Middle East to support Operation Epic Fury. The group consists of several warships and around 5,000 Marines and sailors.