NORFOLK, Va. — Another Norfolk-based crew is heading to the Eastern Mediterranean as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that the USS Bataan amphibious ready group carrying Navy sailors and Marines is shipping off to the Middle East.
It consists of three ships: amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall.
A U.S. official said the USS Mesa Verde is currently in the Mediterranean Sea, while the Bataan and the USS Carter Hall were in the Gulf region, and are now heading toward the Red Sea. They were deployed on July 10.
The group will join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, who were both ordered to the Eastern Mediterranean this week.
In a news release on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's approval of the Ford's extended stay in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Sixth Fleet Area of Operation.
The Ford CSG first set sail in May for a six-month deployment, and was expected to return home in November.
The Eisenhower CSG was already scheduled for deployment prior to Hamas' attacks on Israel, although Navy officials did not say where the fleet was originally supposed to be stationed. It deployed Saturday.
In a release Saturday evening, Austin said the Eisenhower CSG would be joining the Ford CSG in an "effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas's attack on Israel."
The building display of power reflects U.S. concern that the violence between Hamas and Israel will escalate into wider regional conflict. The nation is aiming to establish a large and visible presence that will deter Hezbollah, Iran or others from taking advantage of the situation.
There's no word yet on when the ships will return.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.