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USMC F-35Cs and USS Tripoli ARG Arrive in the Middle East

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A month after the start of the hostilities, the U.S. Marine Corps is increasing its presence in the Middle East with the arrival of a F-35C squadron and the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group.

Mar. 28, 2026, marks a month since the U.S. and Israel launched Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, respectively, in an effort to completely dismantle Iran’s military. Although U.S. officials once again reiterated that operations in Irany might end “in the next couple of weeks,” multiple assets of the U.S. Marine Corps arrived in the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AoR).

USS Tripoli Arrives

In fact, CENTCOM stated on Mar. 28 that, on the previous day, the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have now arrived in the region. The ARG was dispatched to the Middle East two weeks earlier while it was sailing from the Pacific Ocean.

The ARG made a quick stop this week at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, possibly for a resupply before heading into their assigned area of operations. It is yet unclear what would be the role of the Marines.

The Tripoli ARG includes the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), and amphibious transport docks USS San Diego (LPD-22) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18). USNI News has previously reported that USS San Diego was in port in Japan, and thus only the USS Tripoli and USS New Orleans would head to the Middle East.

On board the vessels are about 3,500 Sailors and Marines, with the 31st MEU alone counting 2,200 Marines. Of these, 1,200 form the Ground Combat Element, while the remainder are part of the support units and Aviation Combat Element.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off during a joint service flyover in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 26, 2026. Aircraft participated in a coordinated event to demonstrate joint service readiness and maritime capabilities. (Image Credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)

Multiple aviation assets are deployed aboard. Among these are the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors, CH-53E Super Stallion, UH-1Y Venom and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters for troop transport, as well as the AH-1Z attack helicopters and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets for close air support.

USMC F-35Cs to the Middle East

Earlier last week, ten F-35C Lightning II fighter jets of the U.S. Marine Corps arrived at RAF Lakenheath in the UK. The aircraft arrived there in two cells, one on Mar. 24 and the second on Mar. 25.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II fighter jets prepares to depart RAF Lakenheath, UK, on the way to the Middle East. (Image Credit: Stewart Jack)

After a short stay, eight of the F-35s departed once again divided in two cells, one on Mar. 26 and the second on Mar. 28. According to some reports, these aircraft might be headed for Ovda Air Base, in Israel.

Two F-35Cs are still on the ground at the British base. One allegedly lost its air refueling probe during its flight over the Atlantic Ocean, while the other had an unspecified issue on the ground at Lakenheath.

A squadron of Marine F-35Cs is already in the Middle East, embarked on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). It is unlikely the newly arrived squadron will be embarked on the aircraft carrier, while it is more likely it will operate from a land base.

USS Ford Port Call

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) arrived in the port of Split, Croatia, on Mar. 28, for a port call during its lengthy deployment, which has seen the vessel at sea since June 24, 2025. Previously, the USS Ford stopped in Souda Bay, Greece, to resupply, refuel, and conduct repairs from Mar. 23 to 26.

Two weeks ago, on Mar. 12, a fire broke out aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, with an official statement from the U.S. 5th Fleet saying the fire originated in the ship’s main laundry spaces. The statement stressed that the fire was not combat-related and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

According to the latest statement from the 6th Fleet, “while in Souda Bay, Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center personnel, including structural engineers, naval architects, and other subject matter experts, conducted a repair assessment.” Additionally, “military and federal civilian law enforcement continued investigations into a fire aboard the ship originating in the ship’s laundry facilities.”

Regarding the repairs, the statement also said the “ship’s force personnel and local industry partners supported the rehabilitation of seven berthing compartments affected by the fire.” According to USNI News, quoting a Pentagon spokesman, “more than 100 racks were lost in the fire,” and “the Navy took 1,000 mattresses off the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)” to complete the repairs on USS Ford.

Even More Bombers

Additional bombers are on the way to RAF Fairford in the UK. Three B-1B Lancer strategic bombers arrived there on Mar. 26, and two B-52H Stratofortress bombers arrived at the British base on Mar. 28.

The latest arrival brings the current bomber deployment at Fairford to 23 airframes, of which 15 are B-1s and eight are B-52s. This is one of the largest bomber deployments ever recorded.

Meanwhile, bomber missions are continuing both from Fairford and from the U.S. On Mar. 27, for instance, B-2A Spirit stealth bombers were again part of a round-trip mission to Iran, while a B-1 mission was launched from Fairford.

A-10s and Special Operations Aircraft

After the U.S. military highlighted the role of the A-10C Thunderbolt II during the operations in Iran, it appears more might be headed downrange. In fact, a squadron of A-10s landed at Pease Air National Guard Base.

According to reports, their next stop could be either Lajes, in the Azores, or RAF Lakenheath, in the UK. Both airbases have become transit hubs for the assets flowing into the Middle East.

Meanwhile, A-10s already deployed are being increasingly noted in action both in Iran and Iraq. In fact, it has been reported the aircraft was used to target Iranian-backed militia in Iraq this week.

On Mar. 24, three AC-130J Ghostrider gunships arrived at RAF Lakenheath after a stop at Keflavik’s airport, Iceland. Notably, these aircraft usually land at the nearby RAF Mildenhall, which hosts a squadron of MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft.

The AC-130Js departed Lakenheath on Mar. 27. The AC-130J has not yet been employed over Iran, according to the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) updates, thus the aircraft would be a new addition to the capabilities already deployed.

As for the MC-130s, their number at RAF Mildenhall has been steadily increasing this month, with reports of up to 41 aircraft arriving there. Notably, most of these aircraft were unmarked and even the serial numbers were removed.

Among them were also 11 MC-130Js with the newest modifications, which include the new Silent Knight radar for flying at low altitude during special forces’ missions. At least 15 MC-130s departed in the last few days headed to the Middle East.


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