Surge in the Middle East may not end Soon
General Frank McKenzie of US Central Command speaks with Sailors and Marines on the USS Bataan. (Lolita Baldor/AP)
This is a major theme from the message delivered by General Frank McKenzie, US Central Command. He traveled to the USS Bataan as it was transiting the Red Sea. Speaking to the crew, via loudspeaker, he informed them that he asked for them and others. He provided them with information related to strategic threats; then justified their being called to this part of the world.
President Trump has previously pledged to end our participation in endless wars but appears to be positioning troops into the Middle East. There is hope that the Iranians would back down after they attacked bases in Iraq, but the leadership is positioning U.S. military units just in case.
From Military Times:
To help deter additional Iranian attacks, McKenzie asked to have the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, which includes two other ships and a Marine Expeditionary Unit, divert from their original mission in Europe and go through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. There are about 2,500 Marines and 1,500 sailors on the three ships.
That decision is the latest move since May to bolster the American presence in the region, including the deployment of the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne division, to Kuwait and Iraq after the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked. The U.S. also moved an aircraft carrier into the region last year. It has left and was replaced the USS Harry S. Truman. The Pentagon has sent additional fighter jets, bomber aircraft, and Patriot missile batteries to Middle East to provide additional security for U.S. troops and allies and as a show of force to deter attacks by Iran.
Those moves have increased the U.S. troop strength in the region to more than 83,000, based on numbers from several U.S. officials and other government agencies that track military movements.
Asked about the increase, McKenzie said he understands the demand for troops in other parts of the world, and he has had discussions with Esper about the level of risk in the Middle East.
The Military Times article provides additional details.
Here’s an idea for a show of force. Send enough Tomahawk Missiles in to darken the skies. That way the Persians can fight in the shade this time. And if they are scared of the dark, turn the whole damn place into glowing rubble.
“And if they are scared of the dark, turn the whole damn place into glowing rubble.”
For five seconds, at 10K degrees K.
USS Bataan and company are a force to be reckoned with. Add a Carrier Battle Group just over the horizon and the Mad Mullahs would do well to pull in their horns, or face Operation Praying Mantis II.