Kamal Ghorui
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the United States is deploying a powerful naval group led by the USS Boxer, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship designed to act as a military base for Marines.Often compared to a small aircraft carrier, the USS Boxer can bring significant air power to the region. It can operate advanced F-35B stealth fighter jets, attack helicopters and MV-22 Osprey aircraft, enabling it to conduct airstrikes and rapid-response missions.However, its role extends beyond aviation. The USS Boxer is built to support amphibious assaults, enabling US Marines to launch operations directly onto hostile shores.Click here for live war updates The ship can carry more than 2,000 troops, along with combat equipment, landing craft and command systems, making it capable of sustaining independent military operations, according to Newsmax.
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The USS Boxer is deployed as part of a three-ship Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which includes the USS Portland and USS Comstock. Together, they are carrying thousands of Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).In total, the group includes around 4,000 service members, including both Marines and sailors. These forces recently completed extensive training exercises off the coast of California before departing from San Diego earlier this week.
Officials said that the deployment was accelerated, with troops cutting short their leave after certification to move quickly towards the conflict zone.The Boxer group is expected to take around three weeks to reach the Middle East, sailing through the Indo-Pacific region. It will join other US naval assets already deployed, including another amphibious assault ship, the USS Tripoli.This move comes as the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran is nearing its fourth week, with Washington steadily increasing its military presence. In recent weeks, the US has already deployed carrier strike groups and additional amphibious forces to strengthen its position.
Expanding power at sea
The amphibious group is equipped with a range of weapons, including missile systems such as Rolling Airframe Missiles and Sea Sparrow, as well as fighter jets, helicopters and amphibious vehicles.In total, up to six amphibious ships could be operating in the region, carrying nearly 8000 personnel, including thousands of Marines trained for rapid deployment, according to Newsmax. The buildup comes amid growing speculation over potential US operations targeting strategic locations, including Iranian-held islands linked to oil infrastructure.
Why USS Boxer matters?
The USS Boxer stands out as a multi-role warship that combines the functions of an aircraft carrier, troop transport and assault platform in a single vessel.Its ability to launch airstrikes while simultaneously deploying ground forces makes it a key asset in any large-scale military operation.
