{"id":21531,"date":"2019-10-11T16:43:28","date_gmt":"2019-10-11T16:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/11\/f-15s-air-defense-systems-and-thousands-of-us-troops-heading-to-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:46:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:46:50","slug":"f-15s-air-defense-systems-and-thousands-of-us-troops-heading-to-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2019\/10\/11\/f-15s-air-defense-systems-and-thousands-of-us-troops-heading-to-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"F-15s, air defense systems and thousands of US troops heading to Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a press conference today that the American forces have not abandoned their Kurdish allies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

The Pentagon is sending Air Force F-15s, new air defense systems and other assets \u2014 along with the thousands of U.S. troops needed to operate and maintain them \u2014 to Saudi Arabia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deployments, announced by the Pentagon Friday morning, bring the total deployment of U.S. forces<\/a> to the kingdom to 3,000 since a mid-September attack on a Saudi oil field<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to chief department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has authorized the deployment of two fighter squadrons, an air expeditionary wing, two Patriot batteries and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) to Saudi territory. Although not officially announced, it is expected the fighter squadrons will be F-15s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Esper said it is now \u201cclear that Iranians are responsible\u201d for the attacks in Saudi territory and warned that the U.S. has \u201con alert additional\u201d forces that can provide increased security \u201cif necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The additional forces, requested by U.S. Central Command, come as a result of concerns \u201cbased on what we hear from partners and allies in the region about continued Iranian behavior,\u201d Esper said. “We thought it was important to continue to deploy forces, to deter and defend, and to send the message to the Iranians: Do not strike another sovereign state, do not threaten American interests or forces, or we will respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo not mistake our restraint for weakness. If you will, you will regret that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t