Brink of War:Constellation of US Forces Gathers in the Middle East

A number of US troops,ships and aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East in the past month to ensure the protection of US forces already in the region,at the request of US combatant commanders.This is in light of Iran's threats and/or aggression against maritime traffic and US troops in the US Central Command AOR.*
On 24 May 2019,former US Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said an initial bolstering force:
will include approximately 1500 military personnel and consist of
-a Patriot battalion to defend against missile threats,
-additional intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft,
-an engineer element to provide force protection improvements throughout the region
-and a fighter aircraft squadron to provide additional deterrence and depth to our aviation response options.*
On 17 June 2014,Mr.Shanhan said:
I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air,naval,and ground-based threats in the Middle East.The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable,credible intelligence we have received on hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten US personnel and interests across the region.*
Besides these assets deployed to undisclosed bases,it is known that the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group 13,led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72),is underway in the Middle East to deal with the Iran crisis.Carrier Air Wing 7,with its 9 squadrons and detachments,is aboard the Lincoln.
The Carrier Strike Group includes Destroyer Squadron 2:
-USS Bainbridge (DDG 96),
-USS Mason (DDG 87),
-USS Nitze (DDG 94);
as well as guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).A submarine may also be assigned to a CSG,but would not be disclosed.*
Mr.Shanahan has resigned from his position for personal reasons.President Donald Trump has appointed Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper as Acting Secretary of Defense.Mr.Esper is a graduate of the US Military Academy (West Point) and a combat veteran of the Gulf War 1990-91,having served with distinction as a US Army Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division.