USS Tripoli Arrives in CENTCOM AOR with 3,500 Marines for Operation Epic Fury
The America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) arrived in the Middle East on March 27-28, 2026, serving as the flagship for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. CENTCOM announced the deployment brings 3,500 sailors and marines, along with F-35 fighter jets and MV-22 Osprey aircraft, to bolster Operation Epic Fury. The surge is intended to secure strategic maritime locations and counter Iranian drone and missile activity across the Gulf and Red Sea.
Date: March 28, 2026
Location: Persian Gulf, Bahrain
Conflict: US-Iran Conflict
Category: naval
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: United News of India