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, approximately 5,000 personnel with several warships including the USS Tripoli, are being deployed to the Middle East.
The deployment, supporting "Operation Epic Fury," is part of ongoing joint American-Israeli operations against Iran, now in their third week.
The conflict has seen thousands of Iranian targets hit and Iran has responded by bombing U.S.-allied Gulf countries and effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.
This situation is causing rising global energy prices, and the deployed forces may be used to secure the Strait of Hormuz or launch raids on Iranian territory.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.

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.

Key Takeaways:

Sign up to keep reading

Sign up to keep reading

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?