Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is sending additional bomber aircraft and Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster the US presence in the region as an aircraft carrier and its warships are preparing to leave, US officials said Friday.Austin ordered several B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft, tanker aircraft and Navy destroyers to deploy to the Middle East, according to four US and defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements.The moves come at a critical time as Israel’s wars with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon rage, even as officials press for a ceasefire.
