Boots on the ground: Is US readying airborne troops for Iran war?
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]The possible deployment of a combat brigade from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and some elements of the division’s headquarters staff to support military operations in Iran is being discussed by senior military officials, The New York Times reported early this week.The officials, who spoke to the US media company on condition of anonymity, described any military action as part of “prudent planning, noting that nothing had been ordered by Pentagon or the US Central Command,” which declined to comment.The NYT story came out on Monday, the same day US President Donald Trump announced he ordered the military to postpone any planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, after the US reportedly held “good and productive” talks with Iran.It was a complete turnaround from his earlier threat to strike Iran's Kharg Island oil network if shipping lanes in the vital Strait of Hormuz remain blocked. Iran had no ability to defend against US attacks, Trump posted on Truth Social.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels.On Tuesday, however, Iran fired a new wave of missile strikes against Israel, only hours after Trump hailed the "very good" talks, which Iran reportedly denied had taken place. Iran also vowed to deploy naval mines and hit vital infrastructure across the Middle East in retaliation against further attacks that will deepen the global energy crisis.Trump, for his part, said his administration is talking to an unidentified "top person" in Tehran. His statement also came with an ominous warning that if talks failed in the next five days "we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out".Deploy on short noticeMeanwhile, it would not be the first time for the 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force to see combat action in the Middle East. According to the NYT report, it has been deployed on short notice several times in recent years, including in January 2020 after the US Embassy in Baghdad was attacked. It was also sent to Afghanistan in August 2021 for evacuations and to Eastern Europe in 2022 to support operations in Ukraine.According to US defense officials who spoke to NYT, the 82nd Airborne’s Immediate Response Force is “a brigade of about 3,000 soldiers capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours.”These forces could be used to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, NYT reported.Another possibility being considered by the military leaders, should Trump authorise US troops to seize Kharg island, is an attack by about 2,500 troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is reportedly “on its way to the region.”Possible scenariosThe NYT report pictured possible scenarios: With the airfield on Kharg Island damaged by the recent US bombing raids, former US commanders said Marine combat engineers could be brought first to quickly repair airfields and other airport infrastructure.Once the airfield is repaired, the Air Force could start dropping equipment and supplies, as well as troops, if necessary, by C-130s. In this scenario, it is possible that troops from the 82nd Airborne would augment the Marines, NYT noted.“The upside of going with paratroopers is they can arrive overnight. The downside is they do not bring any heavy equipment, such as heavily armored vehicles, that would offer protection if Iranian forces counterattacked,” NYT reported, quoting current and former US military officials.The Marines, officials noted, “lack the sustainment and staying power of the forces from the 82nd Airborne”, which could be used to relieve Marine forces after the initial attack on Kharg Island.Troops from the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to deploy from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Eastern Europe in response to the war in Ukraine back in February 2022 Pakistan offers to host peace talks to end US-Israeli war on IranUS-Israel-Iran war: Filipino sailors stuck in Hormuz experience fear, boredom US‑Israel‑Iran conflict may trigger unprecedented cyberattacks
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
The possible deployment of a combat brigade from the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and some elements of the division’s headquarters staff to support military operations in Iran is being discussed by senior military officials, The New York Times reported early this week.
The officials, who spoke to the US media company on condition of anonymity, described any military action as part of “prudent planning, noting that nothing had been ordered by Pentagon or the US Central Command,” which declined to comment.
The NYT story came out on Monday, the same day US President Donald Trump announced he ordered the military to postpone any planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, after the US reportedly held “good and productive” talks with Iran.
It was a complete turnaround from his earlier threat to strike Iran's Kharg Island oil network if shipping lanes in the vital Strait of Hormuz remain blocked. Iran had no ability to defend against US attacks, Trump posted on Truth Social.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels.
On Tuesday, however, Iran fired a new wave of missile strikes against Israel, only hours after Trump hailed the "very good" talks, which Iran reportedly denied had taken place. Iran also vowed to deploy naval mines and hit vital infrastructure across the Middle East in retaliation against further attacks that will deepen the global energy crisis.
Trump, for his part, said his administration is talking to an unidentified "top person" in Tehran. His statement also came with an ominous warning that if talks failed in the next five days "we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out".
Deploy on short notice
Meanwhile, it would not be the first time for the 82nd Airborne Division’s Immediate Response Force to see combat action in the Middle East. According to the NYT report, it has been deployed on short notice several times in recent years, including in January 2020 after the US Embassy in Baghdad was attacked. It was also sent to Afghanistan in August 2021 for evacuations and to Eastern Europe in 2022 to support operations in Ukraine.
According to US defense officials who spoke to NYT, the 82nd Airborne’s Immediate Response Force is “a brigade of about 3,000 soldiers capable of deploying anywhere in the world within 18 hours.”
These forces could be used to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, NYT reported.
Another possibility being considered by the military leaders, should Trump authorise US troops to seize Kharg island, is an attack by about 2,500 troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is reportedly “on its way to the region.”
Possible scenarios
The NYT report pictured possible scenarios: With the airfield on Kharg Island damaged by the recent US bombing raids, former US commanders said Marine combat engineers could be brought first to quickly repair airfields and other airport infrastructure.
Once the airfield is repaired, the Air Force could start dropping equipment and supplies, as well as troops, if necessary, by C-130s. In this scenario, it is possible that troops from the 82nd Airborne would augment the Marines, NYT noted.
“The upside of going with paratroopers is they can arrive overnight. The downside is they do not bring any heavy equipment, such as heavily armored vehicles, that would offer protection if Iranian forces counterattacked,” NYT reported, quoting current and former US military officials.
The Marines, officials noted, “lack the sustainment and staying power of the forces from the 82nd Airborne”, which could be used to relieve Marine forces after the initial attack on Kharg Island. Troops from the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to deploy from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Eastern Europe in response to the war in Ukraine back in February 2022 
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