U.S. Military Surges Combat Power to the Middle East

The Pentagon is surging additional combat power to the Middle East and Europe as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict shows no signs of cooling down. The USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is reportedly heading from East Asia to the Middle East. A large fleet of U.S. Air Force air-to-air refueling aircraft also reportedly flew across the Atlantic to Europe on June 15, where they could be used to support operations in the Middle East.

These moves come as American forces are already helping defend Israel from Iranian missile and drone barrages and have come under attack themselves in Iraq, likely from Iranian-supported militias. The Nimitz and refueling tanker deployments will significantly bolster U.S. air and naval capabilities in the region and allow American forces to better defend themselves. If directed, the deployments can also support Israel’s campaign. All these forces also present President Donald Trump with additional military options if Washington decides to play a larger role in the conflict.

Second Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Heading to the Region

The Nimitz CSG, which was operating in the South China Sea, reportedly passed through the Strait of Malacca on June 16 and is expected to reach the Middle East later this week, where it will join the USS Carl Vinson CSG, which is already operating in the region. While the Nimitz was originally intended to replace the Vinson, Washington reportedly expedited its transit through the Pacific so that the United States could have two aircraft carriers operating in the region simultaneously given the increased threat to American forces and interests.

On June 13, U.S. European Command (EUCOM) ordered two guided-missile destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean. These destroyers are capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles and are the same types of vessels that helped defend Israel against Iranian ballistic missile attacks in April and October of 2024. U.S. Navy destroyers, along with American ground-based missile defense assets, have already assisted Israel in intercepting inbound Iranian missiles.

When the Nimitz arrives, the two carrier strike groups will contribute considerable American combat capability to the theatre. The Nimitz CSG consists of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and its four destroyer escorts: USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54), USS Gridley (DDG-101), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108), and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123). The Carl Vinson CSG consists of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70); USS Princeton (CG-59), a cruiser; and two destroyers, USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110).

Air Force Tankers Arrive in Europe

In addition to these considerable naval assets, the United States reportedly deployed at least 28 KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling tankers to Europe on the evening of June 15. The U.S. military can use them to conduct air-to-air refueling for U.S. fighter and bomber aircraft, which greatly increases their range and endurance. Some of these aerial refueling tankers reportedly began heading toward the Middle East on June 17.

Last fall, U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers operating from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, utilized such mid-air refueling to conduct strikes against Houthi underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen, which was widely seen as a signal that the United States could conduct similar strikes against deeply buried Iranian nuclear targets.

Options for the President

The deployments of these additional U.S. forces are likely intended to serve three primary objectives. First, the deployments seek to send a strong deterrent message to Tehran regarding the consequences for attacking American troops. Second, they aim to increase the capability and capacity of U.S. forces to defend themselves if attacked, as well as to better assist in the defense of Israel.

Finally, while President Trump has stated that his administration would prefer a diplomatic solution to the conflict, he has also stated that “it’s possible we could get involved.” Having a second carrier strike group and significant aerial refueling capabilities provide the White House with a greater range of military options to defend American interests and security in the region if they are needed.

Cameron McMillan is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD’s) Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), where Ryan Brobst is the deputy director. For more analysis from the authors and CMPP, please subscribe HERE. Follow Ryan on X @RyanBrobst_. Follow FDD on X @FDD and @FDD_CMPP. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.