Breaking: U.S. to Send Thousands of Extra Troops, Fighter Jets to Middle East --The additional deployment includes squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16, A-10, and F-22 fighter jets, along with the personnel needed to support them. | 30 Sept 2024 | The U.S. is sending an additional "few thousand" troops to the Middle East to bolster security and to be prepared to defend Israel if necessary, the Pentagon said Monday. The increased presence support multiple fighter jet squadrons, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters during a press briefing. It follows recent strikes in Lebanon and the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a significant escalation in the war in the Middle East, this time between Israel and Hezbollah. There are fears Israel could launch a ground invasion of Lebanon, significantly escalating the conflict. On Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also announced that he was temporarily extending the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and its associated squadrons in the region, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to ensuring stability in the face of growing tensions.