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 F-35Bs from Japan, are being deployed to the Middle East to support ongoing American-Israeli operations against Iran, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury."
The conflict, now in its third week, has seen thousands of Iranian targets hit, with Iran escalating by bombing U.S.-allied Gulf countries and shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, leading to rising global energy prices.
The deployed forces could play a role in securing the Strait of Hormuz, launching raids on Iranian territory, or potentially seizing Kharg Island to further destabilize Iran's economy.

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.