US Marines Arrive in Middle East as Operation Epic Fury Escalates
The USS Tripoli and USS New Orleans arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on March 29, 2026, delivering 2,200 Marines to the region. The deployment includes F-35B Strike Fighters and amphibious assault assets intended to bolster regional security as the war against Iran enters its second month. This arrival followed a significant Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base that injured dozens of U.S. service members two days prior.