US Navy’s amphibious warship reaches Middle East

March 28, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced the arrival of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) in its area of responsibility.

The ship entered the theater on March 27 as the flagship of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), deployed alongside the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Together, the force brings approximately 3,500 sailors and Marines, supported by a mix of transport aircraft, strike fighters, and amphibious assault capabilities designed for rapid response operations.

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Meanwhile, CENTCOM released updated figures on its ongoing campaign against Iran, which began roughly a month ago. Since operations commenced, the command reports that more than 11,000 targets have been struck and over 11,000 combat flights conducted.

In the maritime domain, the command states that more than 150 Iranian vessels have been damaged or destroyed, highlighting the scale of the campaign at sea alongside sustained air operations.

USS Tripoli represents a relatively recent addition to the fleet. The US Navy commissioned the vessel on July 15, 2020, transitioning it into active service through an administrative ceremony due to public health restrictions at the time.

As an America-class amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli is built with a strong emphasis on aviation capabilities, reflecting a shift in amphibious warfare doctrine. Its design includes an enlarged hangar deck, expanded aviation maintenance facilities, and significantly increased aviation fuel capacity, enabling sustained air operations, according to the officials.

The ship is also configured to support the full future air combat element of the Marine Corps, including the integration of advanced platforms such as the F-35B Lightning II.

Measuring approximately 257.5 meters in length and displacing around 44,000 long tons, USS Tripoli can reach speeds exceeding 20 knots. It incorporates modern propulsion technologies, including a gas turbine propulsion plant and electric auxiliary systems. The vessel was built by Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division and delivered in February 2020.