A month after the beginning of the hostilities, the U.S. Marine Corps is growing its presence within the Center East with the arrival of a F-35C squadron and the united statesTripoli Amphibious Prepared Group.
Mar. 28, 2026, marks a month because the U.S. and Israel launched Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, respectively, in an effort to fully dismantle Iran’s army. Though U.S. officers as soon as once more reiterated that operations in Irany would possibly finish “within the subsequent couple of weeks,” a number of belongings of the U.S. Marine Corps arrived within the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) Space of Duty (AoR).
USS Tripoli Arrives
In reality, CENTCOM acknowledged on Mar. 28 that, on yesterday, the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) Amphibious Prepared Group (ARG) and the thirty first Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have now arrived within the area. The ARG was dispatched to the Center East two weeks earlier whereas it was crusing from the Pacific Ocean.
U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived within the U.S. Central Command space of accountability, March 27. The America-class amphibious assault ship serves because the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Prepared Group / thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about… pic.twitter.com/JFWiPBbkd2
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026
The ARG made a rapid cease this week at Naval Assist Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, probably for a resupply earlier than heading into their assigned space of operations. It’s but unclear what can be the function of the Marines.
That was a fast pit cease. 👇
NSF DIEGO GARCIA UPDATE: ARG Departs, DDG ArrivesMar 25 imagery reveals a quick turnover on the logistics hub.➡️ Tripoli ARG has already pushed off to proceed their transit. Of their place, a lone Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is now alongside.… pic.twitter.com/pgsewaBc80
— MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) March 25, 2026
The Tripoli ARG contains 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 Information has beforehand reported that USS San Diego was in port in Japan, and thus solely the united statesTripoli and USS New Orleans would head to the Center East.
On board the vessels are about 3,500 Sailors and Marines, with the thirty first MEU alone counting 2,200 Marines. Of those, 1,200 kind the Floor Fight Factor, whereas the rest are a part of the assist models and Aviation Fight Factor.
A number of aviation belongings are deployed aboard. Amongst these are the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors, CH-53E Tremendous Stallion, UH-1Y Venom and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters for troop transport, in addition to the AH-1Z assault helicopters and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets for shut air assist.
USMC F-35Cs to the Center East
Earlier final week, ten F-35C Lightning II fighter jets of the U.S. Marine Corps arrived at RAF Lakenheath within the UK. The plane arrived there in two cells, one on Mar. 24 and the second on Mar. 25.
After a brief keep, eight of the F-35s departed as soon as once more divided in two cells, one on Mar. 26 and the second on Mar. 28. In response to some reviews, these plane may be headed for Ovda Air Base, in Israel.
KC-135 #GOLD97-98 are dragging “WL” F-35C #MAZDA41-44 out to Ovda AB from RAF Lakenheath. The primary 4 departed on Thursday as #MAZDA31 flt, whereas two extra stay on deck. pic.twitter.com/D3TuflOL7r
— EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) March 28, 2026
Two F-35Cs are nonetheless on the bottom on the British base. One allegedly misplaced its air refueling probe throughout its flight over the Atlantic Ocean, whereas the opposite had an unspecified challenge on the bottom at Lakenheath.
#USAF United States Air Drive – Coronet East
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x#AE07BA 62-3557 – GOLD 87#AE035D 58-0063 – GOLD 88
+ MAZDA 31-34 Flt 4x F-35Cs
4 U.S. Marine Corps F-35Cs departed RAF Lakenheath this morning supported by KC-135s GOLD 87 and GOLD 88. That they had made… pic.twitter.com/kzbTLq0CFy
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 26, 2026
A squadron of Marine F-35Cs is already within the Center East, launched into the united statesAbraham Lincoln (CVN-72). It’s unlikely the newly arrived squadron might be launched into the plane service, whereas it’s extra seemingly it should function from a land base.
#USAF United States Air Drive – Coronet East
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 2x#AE035D 58-0063 – GOLD 97#AE047B 58-0117 – GOLD 98
+ MAZDA 41-44 Flt 4x USMC F-35C’s
4 U.S. Marine Corps F-35C’s departed RAF Lakenheath this morning supported by GOLD 97/98. Two plane stay,… pic.twitter.com/a2KwSznjxX
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 28, 2026
USS Ford Port Name
The united statesGerald R. Ford (CVN-78) arrived within the port of Cut up, Croatia, on Mar. 28, for a port name throughout its prolonged deployment, which has seen the vessel at sea since June 24, 2025. Beforehand, the united statesFord stopped in Souda Bay, Greece, to resupply, refuel, and conduct repairs from Mar. 23 to 26.
The world’s largest plane service, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) anchored within the Port of Cut up, Croatia, March 29, following an Adriatic Sea transit from Souda Bay, Greece. Learn extra pic.twitter.com/e6WJpP28Rp
— U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. sixth Fleet (@USNavyEurope) March 28, 2026
Two weeks in the past, on Mar. 12, a hearth broke out aboard the U.S. Navy plane service, with an official assertion from the U.S. fifth Fleet saying the fireplace originated within the ship’s fundamental laundry areas. The assertion harassed that the fireplace was not combat-related and the plane service stays totally operational.
UPDATE: 🇺🇸CSG 12CVN-78 stays within the area, stopping in 🇭🇷Cut up immediately
Picture nonetheless captured from video posted by EdoStuff Aviation ( pic.twitter.com/osimUx60cC
— MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) March 28, 2026
In response to the most recent assertion from the sixth Fleet, “whereas in Souda Bay, Ahead Deployed Regional Upkeep Middle personnel, together with structural engineers, naval architects, and different material specialists, performed a restore evaluation.” Moreover, “army and federal civilian regulation enforcement continued investigations into a hearth aboard the ship originating within the ship’s laundry amenities.”
Relating to the repairs, the assertion additionally mentioned the “ship’s drive personnel and native business companions supported the rehabilitation of seven berthing compartments affected by the fireplace.” In response to USNI Information, quoting a Pentagon spokesman, “greater than 100 racks have been misplaced within the hearth,” and “the Navy took 1,000 mattresses off the longer term USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)” to finish the repairs on USS Ford.
Even Extra Bombers
Further bombers are on the best way to RAF Fairford within the UK. Three B-1B Lancer strategic bombers arrived there on Mar. 26, and two B-52H Stratofortress bombers arrived on the British base on Mar. 28.
Extra Bombers Arrive to RAF Fairford #FreeIran— Operation EPIC FURY —
A complete of three extra B-1B “Lancer” bombers, working as callsigns “PURSE33”, “PURSE34” and “PURSE35” have arrived at RAF Fairford (EGVA) this afternoon, bringing the overall US bomber fleet to 21… pic.twitter.com/6YPSqqeiTi
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) March 26, 2026
The newest arrival brings the present bomber deployment at Fairford to 23 airframes, of which 15 are B-1s and eight are B-52s. This is among the largest bomber deployments ever recorded.
correction flt of two
— Mike B (@jamjake01) March 28, 2026
Two extra B-52s for RAF Fairford immediately, this time from Barksdale AFB 🇺🇸 that is BAZOO51 LA tail 20 miles out simply now. pic.twitter.com/t3Oh14iKhv
— Saint1 (@Saint1Mil) March 28, 2026
In the meantime, bomber missions are persevering with each from Fairford and from the U.S. On Mar. 27, for example, B-2A Spirit stealth bombers have been once more a part of a round-trip mission to Iran, whereas a B-1 mission was launched from Fairford.
Bomber Mission 40 – The B-2 Spirit Returns! #FreeIran— Operation EPIC FURY —
Alongside a single flight of B-1B “Lancer” bombers from RAF Fairford, the opposite guests to Iran yesterday have been a flight of B-2A “Spirit” bombers from Whiteman AFB (KSZL) within the mainland US. At… pic.twitter.com/YRDCpo3yyj
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) March 28, 2026
A-10s and Particular Operations Plane
After the U.S. army highlighted the function of the A-10C Thunderbolt II throughout the operations in Iran, it seems extra may be headed downrange. In reality, a squadron of A-10s landed at Pease Air Nationwide Guard Base.
Few extra pics of the a hundred and ninetieth FS touchdown #TABOR91_93 pic.twitter.com/b6Px7sSoBU
— Dave O’Brien (@DaveOTGphotog) March 28, 2026
In response to reviews, their subsequent cease could possibly be both Lajes, within the Azores, or RAF Lakenheath, within the UK. Each airbases have develop into transit hubs for the belongings flowing into the Center East.
#USAF United States Air Drive – Coronet East
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x#AE04DB 57-1437 – GOLD 50
+ TABOR 91-96 flt 6x A-10A Thunderbolt IIs
Six Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the a hundred and ninetieth Fighter Squadron arrived at Pease Air Nationwide Guard Base this night,… pic.twitter.com/NR3F8zBELi
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 27, 2026
In the meantime, A-10s already deployed are being more and more famous in motion each in Iran and Iraq. In reality, it has been reported the plane was used to focus on Iranian-backed militia in Iraq this week.
USAF A-10 Warthogs spent a lot of the day strafing Iranian-backed militia positions round Mosul, Iraq. pic.twitter.com/5GLcm1XVnN
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 24, 2026
On Mar. 24, three AC-130J Ghostrider gunships arrived at RAF Lakenheath after a cease at Keflavik’s airport, Iceland. Notably, these plane normally land on the close by RAF Mildenhall, which hosts a squadron of MC-130J Commando II particular operations plane.
AC-130J #HEEL55, #HEEL51, & #HEEL53 headed as much as Keflavik on Sunday and on to Lakenheath yesterday, making their technique to the Center East for a routine six month deployment. Involved with Gander Radio HF 11279. pic.twitter.com/LhSJNTmx9H
— EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) March 25, 2026
#USAF United States Air Drive
16:51 – HEEL 51 1x AC-130J Ghostrider, inbound RAF Lakenheath from Keflavik, following HEEL 55. Working Lakenheath Command Publish on 313.575, no Mode-S.
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 24, 2026
The AC-130Js departed Lakenheath on Mar. 27. The AC-130J has not but been employed over Iran, in response to the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) updates, thus the plane can be a brand new addition to the capabilities already deployed.
As for the MC-130s, their quantity at RAF Mildenhall has been steadily growing this month, with reviews of as much as 41 plane arriving there. Notably, most of those plane have been unmarked and even the serial numbers have been eliminated.
#USAF United States Air Drive – Iran WarSpecial Operations Command / RAF Mildenhall27 March – 0020z
The build-up and transit of MC-130J Commando IIs at RAF Mildenhall has been ongoing because the begin of March. Up to now, there have been a minimum of 41 MC-130Js (excluding primarily based… pic.twitter.com/qkZrOe9CvN
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 27, 2026
Amongst them have been additionally 11 MC-130Js with the latest modifications, which embody the brand new Silent Knight radar for flying at low altitude throughout particular forces’ missions. Not less than 15 MC-130s departed in the previous few days headed to the Center East.
