Second Marine Expeditionary Unit and three warships head to Middle East
Mar 20th 2026
About 2,200 Marines and three warships left California this week as the U.S. sends additional forces to the Middle East while the conflict with Iran continues.
- A second Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,200 Marines departed California earlier this week, U.S. officials said.
- The deployment includes three warships bound for the Middle East.
- A first MEU coming from the Pacific is still making its way to the region.
- Officials say the second unit may take several weeks to be in place.
- The movement comes as the war with Iran continues into its third week.
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