At least one U.S. Navy warship carrying more than 2,000 Marines is on its way to the Middle East, signaling an additional military buildup in the area and fueling speculation about American ground forces being deployed in Iran.
Satellite images showed the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), an America-class amphibious assault ship, and two escort ships were traveling southwest across the South China Sea on March 15. The warship was spotted near Singapore a day later.
The Tripoli is carrying personnel from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU, a rapid-response force of about 2,200 Marines and Navy sailors based in Okinawa, Japan. The MEU contains ground and aerial combat units.
A number of news sources reported the deployment, citing unidentified U.S. officials. It’s unclear whether the Tripoli’s two escort ships will continue to the Middle East.
The Pentagon hasn’t officially said how many U.S. service members are part of the Iran war. News reports put the number at 40,000 to 50,000.
Where is the USS Tripoli?
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It could take as long as two weeks for the Marine unit to be in place.
The Tripoli will join the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups that have been part of the U.S. attacks on Iran. The Ford is being sent to Souda Bay on Crete for repairs after a laundry room caught fire March 12.
Though it resembles an aircraft carrier, the Tripoli is an amphibious assault ship capable of carrying dozens of aircraft, including:
- F-35 fighter jets
- MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor helicopters
- MH-60S Seahawk helicopters
The Tripoli is about 844 feet long. By comparison, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the largest warship in the world, is about 1,106 feet.
What is a Marine Expeditionary Unit?
An MEU consists of about 2,200 Marines and sailors in forward-deployed, rapid-response units that use ships like mobile bases. It’s composed of four elements:
Command: This serves as the headquarters for the entire unit. It allows a single command for all ground, aviation and combat service forces.
Ground combat: The combat element is built around a Marine infantry battalion. It’s reinforced with tanks, artillery, amphibious vehicles, engineers and reconnaissance assets.
Air combat: The aircraft element consists of a helicopter squadron with transport helicopters of various models and capabilities. It includes attack helicopters and jets, air defense teams and ground support assets.
Logistics combat: This element aids the MEU with support such as medical and dental assistance, motor transport, supply, equipment maintenance and landings.
What does a Marine Expeditionary Unit do?
Some, but not all, of the missions an MEU can undertake are:
- Peacekeeping
- Humanitarian aid and disaster relief
- Security operations
- Noncombatant evacuation operations
- Reinforcement operations
- Amphibious raids and assaults
- Tactical deception operations
- Airfield and port seizures
- Show-of-force operations
- Reconnaissance and surveillance
- Seizure and recovery of offshore energy facilities
Does this mean U.S. troops will be sent to the interior of Iran?
The Marine deployment doesn’t necessarily mean troops will be sent into Iran, according to MPR News. Sending in ground troops would signal a drastic escalation of the war.
President Donald Trump has discussed using ground troops, NBC News reported, saying he could deploy them for specific strategic purposes but not a large-scale invasion.
Troop deployment also could increase public doubt about the war. At least 74% of registered voters oppose sending troops into Iran, while 20% support it, according to a Quinnipiac University poll March 9.
CONTRIBUTING Gabrielle Banks
SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; U.S. Naval Institute; Naval News; Stars and Stripes; surfpac.navy.mil; marforpac.marines.mil
