The United States is sending about 7,000 additional Army and Marine troops to the Middle East, signaling the possibility of ground operations in the Iran war.
Although President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he is “not going to send troops anywhere,” White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters on March 25 that the president is “not bluffing” and is prepared to “unleash hell” on Iran.
The Pentagon ordered the deployment of 2,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82 troops.n.d. Airborne division, including part 1cent Brigade Combat Team, to the region. The order, issued March 25, follows the deployment of two 2,200-member Marine Expeditionary Units, the first on March 13 and the second on March 19.
It was unclear where ground forces would be stationed. Their presence gives President Trump even more influence as diplomatic negotiations continue. On March 25, Iran rejected a 15-point peace plan presented by U.S. officials.
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The Army and Marines will join the approximately 50,000 U.S. military personnel already serving in the war.
Iranian leaders have criticized President Trump for increasing U.S. forces in the region and said they are preparing for a ground operation. Administration officials did not rule out the possibility of seizing or blockading Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles about 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
Who are the Army and Marines being sent to Iran?
Let’s take a look at the units and dates of the assignment.
March 13 | 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit: The 2,200 Marines aboard the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, USS Boxer (LHA-7) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18), are scheduled to arrive in the Middle East within the next few days. The third amphibious group ship, USS San Diego (LPD-22), remained at its base in Okinawa, Japan.
March 18-19 | 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit: On March 18 and 19, 2,200 Marines and sailors departed Naval Base San Diego aboard the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, USS Boxer (LHD-4), landing dock ship USS Comstock (LSD-45), and amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD-27). They are scheduled to arrive in the Middle East in mid-April. The unit is based at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California.
The MEU is a highly mobile maritime force capable of responding to a wide range of crises, from embassy reinforcements and evacuations to amphibious raids and humanitarian relief. It is designed to be self-sustaining for approximately 15 days of operation.
Amphibious Ready Groups/Marine Expeditionary Units typically have approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors attached to the MEU, according to the U.S. Naval Research Institute. The three amphibious ships carry approximately 2,000 sailors.
March 25 | 82nd Airborne Division: Approximately 2,000 paratroopers from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, including the 1st Brigade Combat Team, will be deployed to the Middle East, multiple news sources reported on March 25.
The number of paratroopers deployed is reported to be between 1,000 and 2,000, according to Stars and Stripes, a rapid response force that can be deployed anywhere in the world within 18 hours.
Brigade combat teams are trained and equipped to deploy quickly overseas and conduct parachute attacks to enter territory by force.
The 82nd Airborne, which was part of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was nicknamed “The Devil in Baggy Pants,” a name given to it by Nazi forces during World War II, according to the Army.
This division is known as the Army’s emergency response team. It specializes in joint forced entry operations and high-stakes missions to occupy militarily hostile territory. It is based at Fort Bragg (formerly Fort Liberty) in North Carolina.
Contributions by Greta Cross and Cybele Mays Osterman
Source USA TODAY Network reporting and research. Reuters; US Naval Research Institute; US Army; US Marine Corps. stars and stripes
