F-35-loaded USS Abraham Lincoln second US aircraft carrier to arrive in Middle East
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and destroyers have arrived in the Middle East at a time of rising regional tensions.
Equipped with F-35 fighter jets, the US carrier is the second to add to the US ships already in the region.
She is now in the US Central Command area of responsibility which covers four million square miles and extends as far east as Pakistan.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the ship to sail more quickly from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East earlier this month amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
Iran vowed retaliation over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, which it blamed on Israel. Israel, however, has neither confirmed nor denied that it was behind the killing.
Mr Austin also ordered a guided missile submarine to be deployed to the area.
USS Abraham Lincoln is due to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) which has been operating in the Arabian Sea, but it means there are currently two US carrier strike groups in the area.
USS Abraham Lincoln is equipped with F-35C Lightning jets and F/A-18 Superhornets.
The C variant of the aircraft is designed to be catapulted from the aircraft carrier so it is different from the UK's version. the F-35B, designed for short take-off and vertical landing.
She is also accompanied by six Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
Each of them can carry 90 missiles, including a combination of Tomahawk land attack missiles and high-altitude air defence missiles.
The US CSG normally includes an aircraft carrier, one air defence Ticonderoga-class cruiser and four Arleigh Burke destroyers. This CSG has no cruiser, opting instead to have the six destroyers.
Nominated for her specific air defence is the US Navy's newest Arleigh Burke destroyer the USS Frank E Petersen Jr.
Earlier this month, the Department of Defence said it was increasing support for the defence of Israel and ensuring it is prepared to respond to various contingencies.
The Biden administration continues to come under fire for its support of Israel with rising reports of Israeli strikes continuing across the Gaza Strip.
Following daily Israeli raids, the Palestinian health ministry has reported that more than 600 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since last October.
According to the White House, President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has "stressed the urgency" of reaching a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
"The president stressed the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure and discussed upcoming talks in Cairo to remove any remaining obstacles," a White House statement said.
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