The US Navy's Surface Action Groups (SAGs) represent key tactical groups that are capable of taking on a variety of missions worldwide.

Navy doctrine defines a SAG as a temporary or standing organization of combat ships other than aircraft carriers, tailored for specific missions.

SAGs are typically built around cruisers and destroyers for their firepower and ability to take on enemy land targets, air threats or sea-based targets.

Such groups are able to utilize Link 16, a secure and jam-resistant tactical data link network used for critical communications by the United States, NATO allies and other partners.

The network allows cruisers and destroyers to communicate with each other as well as other assets such as Tomahawk missiles and allied aircraft.

That means each SAG operating in regions such as the Middle East can cover vast areas to maintain security and potentially deliver concentrated firepower against multiple land, air and sea threats.

Protecting maritime trade

The US Navy is currently deploying a number of cruisers and destroyers throughout the Middle East, including in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

US naval vessels have been particularly active in the Red Sea, where they are taking part in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the US-led multinational effort to protect merchant vessels moving through the region from attacks carried out by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

The US Navy ships in the Red Sea are taking part in what some have described as the most intense running sea battle the Navy has faced since World War II.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mason and USS Carney were initially heavily engaged in the Red Sea campaign but have been joined by other destroyers over time.

The USS Mason operated for seven months in the Red Sea before entering the Mediterranean Sea on June 7.

The USS Carney returned to the United States in May after a seven-month deployment in the region.

After entering the US 5th Fleet, the USS Carney conducted 51 engagements in six months, intercepting ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles while operating in the Gulf of Aden and conducting defensive strikes into Yemen.

Ongoing operations

The Houthis have carried out near-daily attacks since November, clearly targeting more than 50 vessels.

Most recently, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed three Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea, CENTCOM said in a statement on June 30.

Since the start of the year, the US Navy has shot down more than 150 drones and missiles fired by the Houthis.