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USS Boxer Leads 4,000 Marines to Tense Middle East

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The USS Boxer, along with the USS Portland and USS Comstock, departed Naval Base San Diego on March 18, 2026, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The USS Boxer and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting routine operations in the Pacific.
U.S. officials confirmed that this deployment is part of an accelerated effort to send Marine personnel and equipment to the Middle East, involving around 4,000 service members.

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Story summary

The USS Boxer, along with the USS Portland and USS Comstock, departed Naval Base San Diego on March 18, 2026, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The USS Boxer and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting routine operations in the Pacific.
U.S. officials confirmed that this deployment is part of an accelerated effort to send Marine personnel and equipment to the Middle East, involving around 4,000 service members.