Marines on standby for Egypt
CNN reports that a few hundred Marines are on standby to protect the US embassy in Egypt as riots there intensify to protest the Morsi government;
About 200 combat capable Marines in Sigonella, Italy, and Moron, Spain, have been told to be ready to be airborne within 60 minutes of getting orders to deploy, according to two administration officials.
The units have several V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft that would carry troops and infantry weapons to Egypt to protect the U.S. Embassy and American government personnel and citizens if violence broke out against Americans.
The planned demonstrations are aimed against the Egyptian government.
The officials both emphasized this is contingency planning in advance of the expected demonstrations to ensure American military assets, including rescue forces, can act if needed. In the event Americans had to be evacuated from Egypt and could not get to the airport due to the unrest, there are about 2,000 additional Marines on board three Navy warships in the Red Sea, officials said.
They also report that the US embassy in Cairo is going to be closed on Sunday and Monday because of the protests. One American, Andrew Pochter, has already lost his life in the protests. The Washington Post reports that Pochter was stabbed to death in Alexandria, Egypt;
Hilary Rosen, a family friend, forwarded a statement from the family that said Pochter, a 21-year-old college student from Chevy Chase, was in Alexandria for the summer to teach English and to improve his Arabic. According to the statement, Pochter appeared to have been stabbed by a protester.
Rosen said Saturday that it was not clear whether Pochter was watching the protests or not at the time but reiterated that he was not involved. “He was definitely not a protester,” she said.
Yeah, that Arab Spring thing is really working in everyone’s favor, isn’t it?
Category: Terror War
Are you telling me that all of the sudden, the government is interested in the security of our embassies? Amazing.
And while I am sorry that the young man lost his life, I do wonder what possesses people from this country to go to countries like that unless they are part of the military and well armed.
I just hope our people get out alive. I have a bad feeling about this whole thing.
tomb stone learning. the State Dept got splattered with shit after Benghazi and they don’t want to have to see their political masters dragged before congress again. I guess they decided that “a few hours” does make a difference.
This is the Muslim Brotherhood and Morsi against the military, right?
I feel bad for these Marines. Being on ACM is balls.
“on standby”?????????? Let’s not rush into action there, MIC…/sarc..(of course)
Another situation that will not end well.
I don’t buy for one second that John Kerry is even 1% more competent than Hillary at this job – what’s really going on?
The Won cannot take another hit with many so close together. Joe
So 200 Marines are ready to go in 60 minutes support the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood president of Egypt Morsi, but couldn’t be found to save 4 Americans in Benghazi?!?!
Close the Embassy and pull all of our people out until these savages sort each other out. If they assault our embassy we should write Egypt off for a couple of generations or a thousand years, which ever comes first. Cut them off from all American aid, no more arms sales, food assistance, or cash. Warn China and Russia that we will cut all ties with them if they try to give Egypt any of the things we took away. We seem to be doing nothing more than fertilizing weeds when we support these heathens.
“combat capable Marines”
Aren’t they all?
“‘combat capable Marines’
Aren’t they all?”
Except maybe the band… even years later…
Bob: “Did you hear about the Obama administration scandal?” Jim: “You mean the Mexican gun running?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean dropping the case about the New Black Panther intimidation at the polls in Philadelphia?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the setting up of Seal Team 6?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the State Dept. lying about Benghazi?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the voter fraud?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the military not getting their votes counted?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean that 3 or 4 of Obama’s GAY boyfriends were mysteriously MURDERED when they came forward with claims he was gay too?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the president demoralizing and breaking down the military?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the president flying around the world apologizing for America?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the president bowing to the Saudi Arabian king and other world leaders?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the Boston Bombing?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “The NSA monitoring our phone calls, e-mails and everything else?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the president wanting to kill Americans with drones without the benefit of the law?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the president not complying with the War Powers Act on our Libyan intervention?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the $787 porkulus that didn’t stimulate the economy and didn’t keep unemployment under 8 percent?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “Giving 123 Technologies $300 Million and right after it declared bankruptcy it was sold to the Chinese?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean the president arming the Muslim Brotherhood?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “The IRS targeting conservatives?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “The DOJ spying on the press?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “Sebelius shaking down health insurance executives?” Bob: “No, the other one.” Jim: “You mean lying about the… Read more »
Funny. It’s the pro-democracy folks going after Obama for supporting the Brotherhood.
I’m sure that B. Hussein 0bama will do all he can, unless he has an important tee time or fundraiser/party to attend to!
Azygos. That’s a helluva nice piece of work there! I sit yours or someone else’s? If yours, I want to give attribution when I email it around.
#1 faboutlaws: that’s because the Muslim Brotherhood is not democratic.
My big worry about this is what happens if the Egyptian government tells Barko Bama and his Boyz to NOT come in. If Egypt says to him that THEY will secure our embassy, and that if US military forces cross the border they will be fired upon? Those fully-loaded Ospreys fly real nice, but they don’t do air combat maneuvering, which means they will have to have fighter escort when they breach the Egyptian border. Now, we have a carrier in the Med, and we can position it, if we haven’t already done so, so as to have air support available and likely on call for any situation. BUT……. if Morsi says not to come in, and after all he IS Barko Bama’s butt buddy even though he’s on a terror watch list (along with the Muslim Brotherhood) then all bets are off. I have no doubt that we can do what needs to be done to get most of our folks out of there, but if we have to engage the Egyptian military then it’s going to be real bad for a very long time. Here’s the thing: The Egyptian military likes us. We’ve replaced a lot of their old Soviet gear with our stuff, and have been working along side them and training them for quite awhile now. They won’t take kindly to us attacking them if we have to. So, the key in a successful extraction mission for our folks is really getting the Egyptian military to stand aside. That means going against Morsi and the elected government whom they swore to protect. The military has always been seen as the king makers in Egypt. IF they go against Morsi, then he’s lost the government and the protesters win, and maybe the islamists start up a civil war. As Jonn says, this is a tar baby, and a HUGE frikkin one with deep, sticky, tar all over it that no one ought to be getting close to. Our people should have been pulled out long ago. If Barko Bama does what I believe he will do, and… Read more »
what if they would had this sep 11 of last year…just wondering…
[…] Ain’t Hell has a bunch of great posts up today including this one by Jonn called “Marines on standby for Egypt.” […]
@11. “Close the Embassy and pull all of our people out….” I agree. The kitchen is on fire and they are standing in the den wondering if the fire will spread. If so, the fire department is at the ready! BS. Get out and let them deal death and destruction to one another. Oh, and another thing. Kerry (god help us!) should send a message that reads as follows: “If one American embassy employee is hurt (note that death isn’t necessary), the f’n Sphinx gets it.”
@22 2/17 Air Cav. I don’t care who you are, that’s funny. While it may be necessary, there is little chance that it would dissuade Morsi. He knows that Barry is a pantywaist and would never do something so manly. I expect a speech from Barry about how we are their great fiends and that we should all get along. Then he will announce another $500 million in US aid. Yea, that’s the ticket.
2/17AirCav, please don’t shoot the Sphinx. Go after the Aswan High Dam instead. That is funny, though.
If the military still runs Egypt and the population in general is protesting Morsi and the MBs, won’t the military support the protesters? They refused to fire on them during the Arab Spring movement.
2/17 Air Cav
I poached it from Grouchyoldcripple.
Just an observation – even with the flight time of the Osprey, it’s doubtful the Marines would get to Cairo on time-whether they leave from Sigonella or Spain. They should station the MEU (SOC) off the coast.