US, UK warships are moving towards the Lebanese coast amidst escalating tensions in the region.

US warships, including the USS Wasp, USS New York, and USS Oak Hill, were reported en route to the coast of Lebanon, as claimed by the Saudi channel Al-Hadat and a post on X. The deployment involved approximately 2,500 Marines, highlighting the United States’ readiness to respond to escalating tensions in the region.

There are similarities between the current scenario and a comparable deployment that occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean at the end of October of last year with a sizable assemblage of warships and support vessels. This action was taken in preparation for a possible Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in the wake of the October 7 Hamas assaults, which sparked worries of a wider confrontation in the region. The present deployment seems to be a preventive step in reaction to the recent unrest, especially following a missile strike by Hezbollah in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Leading the way in this deployment is US Amphibious Squadron 4, which is commanded by the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, which can also function as a de facto aircraft carrier. The amphibious transport dock USS New York and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill are with the Wasp. All together, these ships transport 2,200 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit along with a variety of weapons and gear, such as landing boats, helicopters, and Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

Unlike the last operation, this deployment does not include a full-sized US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. These carriers usually offer substantial air power and serve as a preventive measure against future escalation. The USS Ford’s presence in the area was mentioned as a stabilizing element last October. But at the moment, the USS Eisenhower, a formidable carrier, has been moved to deal with hostilities in the Southern Red Sea with the Iranian-backed Houthis, who are located in Yemen.

The absence of a nuclear attack submarine and accompanying escort vessels, which are essential for gathering intelligence and ensuring area security, also results from the lack of a carrier strike group. By using platforms like the E-2 Hawkeye radar plane to provide surveillance and early warning, these assets frequently improve a naval force’s operating capabilities.