Defense Sec. Austin Rushes USS Abraham Lincoln, Missile Submarine to Mideast

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to "take every possible step to defend Israel" on Sunday, in the seventh call with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in recent weeks.

"Reinforcing this commitment, Secretary Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group," the Defense Department said.

In addition, the department took the highly unusual step of announcing the movement of a guided missile submarine, the USS Georgia, which was also ordered to the Middle East.