The U.S. military normally maintains a strong presence in the Mediterranean, and has bases in Spain, Italy and Turkey. It has more forces south of the Suez Canal, mainly focused on East African piracy and support for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
But naval and air forces in particular are flexible, and can be in one place one day, and another place fairly far away the next day.
Pentagon spokesman Colonel David Lapan says although the U.S. military has not been ordered to do anything regarding Libya, it is making plans and has started to move forces, just in case it is ordered.
