US begins to move equipment out of Afghanistan and approves deployment of forces to protect withdrawal operations

The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan is now underway with equipment being packed and shipped out, three defense officials tell CNN.

The Pentagon has also approved the deployment of hundreds of maritime, air and land forces to the region to ensure security for American and NATO forces as well as contractors as they withdraw, the officials said. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin approved the extension of the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier's mission to "remain in the Central Command area of responsibility for a period of time," and approved "the addition of some long-range bombers" to the region in preparation for US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing on Friday.