October 23, 2023
… I have placed an additional number of forces on prepare to deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required.
Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin Saturday in a statement announcing additional military assets to the Middle East because of “Iran and its proxy forces.”
Why It Matters: In the written statement, SecDef Austin maps out the presence of two aircraft carrier groups in the Middle East, deployment of missile defense systems (THAAD) and contingency plans to potentially deploy U.S. soldiers.
Additional Context: Last week, American positions in Iraq and Syria came under attack by drones. Here’s the link to more details.
Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Steps to Increase Force Posture
by Jenna Lee,
