At least one US Navy warship carrying more than 2,000 Marines is heading to the Middle East, signaling a further military buildup in the region and increasing speculation that US ground forces are being deployed to Iran.
Satellite images showed the American-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA7) and two destroyers sailing southwest in the South China Sea on March 15. The warship was discovered near Singapore a day later.
Tripoli is transporting personnel from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a rapid response force of approximately 2,200 Marines and Navy sailors based in Okinawa, Japan. The MEU includes ground combat units and air combat units.
Many news sources reported on the deployment, citing anonymous US officials. It is unclear whether Tripoli’s two destroyers will continue sailing to the Middle East.
The Pentagon has not officially announced how many U.S. military personnel are participating in the Iran war. News reports put the number between 40,000 and 50,000.
Where is the USS Tripoli?
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It could take up to two weeks for Marine units to deploy.
Tripoli will join the carrier strike groups of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, which have participated in the US attack on Iran. The Ford was sent to Souda Bay on the island of Crete for repairs after a fire broke out in the laundry room on March 12th.
Tripoli is similar to an aircraft carrier, but is an amphibious assault ship that can carry dozens of aircraft, including:
- F-35 fighter jet
- MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor helicopter
- MH-60S Seahawk Helicopter
Tripoli is approximately 844 feet long. By comparison, the world’s largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is approximately 1,106 feet.
What is a Marine Expeditionary Unit?
The MEU is comprised of approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors who are a forward-deployed rapid response force that uses the ship as a mobile base. It consists of four elements.
Instructions: This serves as the headquarters for the entire unit. This allows for a single command to all ground, air, and combat forces.
Ground combat: The combat element is built around Marine infantry battalions. Reinforced with tanks, artillery, amphibious vehicles, engineers, and reconnaissance troops.
Air combat: The aircraft element consists of a helicopter squadron with transport helicopters of various models and capabilities. This includes attack helicopters and fighter jets, air defense teams, and ground support forces.
Logistics combat: This element assists the MEU with assistance such as medical and dental support, motor vehicle transportation, resupply, equipment maintenance, and landings.
What does a Marine Expeditionary Unit do?
Some (but not all) of the missions that the MEU can perform are:
- peacekeeping
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
- security operations
- Non-combatant evacuation operations
- Reinforcement operation
- Amphibious raids and raids
- tactical deception operations
- Seizure of airfields and ports
- show of force operation
- reconnaissance and surveillance
- Seizure and recovery of marine energy facilities
Does this mean American troops will be sent into Iran’s interior?
According to MPR News, the deployment of Marines does not necessarily mean sending troops to Iran. Sending ground forces could rapidly escalate the war.
According to NBC News, President Donald Trump has discussed the use of ground forces, saying they could be used for certain strategic purposes, but not for a large-scale invasion.
Deploying troops may also increase public doubts about war. According to a March 9 Quinnipiac University poll, at least 74% of registered voters oppose sending troops to Iran, while 20% support it.
Contributed by Gabriel Banks
SOURCE USA TODAY NETWORK REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. Reuters; U.S. Naval Research Institute; Naval News; Stars and Stripes; Surf Pack.Navy.Mil; marforpac.marines.mil
