And so it accelerates. U.S. sending USS Tripoli, thousands of Marines to Middle East

[vanessa_ca]

-snip

Why it matters: The deployment will add thousands of Marines, several warships, and F-35 fighter jets to support those already in the region, the U.S. official said.

The U.S. official said U.S. Central Command asked for the new force in order to have more options for military operations against Iran.
The Marine expeditionary unit will be able to conduct ground operations if ordered. The U.S. official declined to comment on that possibility.

-snip-

Bessent said the disruptions have already cost the U.S. $11 billion.

-snip-

Zoom in: The entire Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group includes the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the USS Tripoli, guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, and guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta.

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/13/marines-middle-east-us-deployment

[Renew Deal]

1. So much winning!

[Bluestocking]

2. More targets for Iran to hit

Putin is clearly making the decisions for the US deployment

[Prairie Gates]

3. Just a small deployment of Marines to protect the Air Base

at Da Nang.

March 8, 1965. Just 3,500 Marines from the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

[Renew Deal]

4. Rumsfeld, not more than 5 months

[Arazi]

19. Absolutely going to use the same bullshit rationale

Protecting embassies and military bases

[Jim__]

5. A sure sign that we've won and we're in the process of winding down. War is peace!

Yes,

[leftstreet]

6. Don't forget your maps!

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Tetrachloride]

8. There will be peace in the valley

Ain’t no mountain higher.

swing low, sweet chariot

i’ve been thru the desert with a horse with no name

money changes everything

last train to clarksville

“it’s like the sun going down on me”

[doc03]

16. Lots of hills and hollers to get ambushed. nt

[nitpicked]

7. USS Tripoli, 31st MEU Heading to the Middle East

https://news.usni.org/2026/03/13/uss-tripoli-31st-meu-heading-to-the-middle-east

Big deck amphibious warship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and its embarked Marines are heading to the Middle East as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran enters its third week, two defense officials confirmed to USNI News.

Amphibious assault ship Tripoli and elements of the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will join the Gerald R. Ford and Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups that have been operating in the region.

Tripoli was operating in the Philippine Sea earlier this week with USS San Diego (LPD-22) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18), according to the March 9 USNI News Fleet.
(snip)

[nitpicked]

9. By itself, Tripoli can carry over 1600 Marines

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tripoli_(LHA-7)

[rampartd]

15. he has been watching movies again

at kwajalein, 46,000 marines did successfully land and subdue a japanese garrison of about 5,000.

now expand kwajalein by thousandsfold, add millions of islamic fanantics

these guys are enough for a very short raid without serious, and i mean tens of thousands and a fleet of logistics. iow, this is a test of hegtheth's junior officer level understaning of war.

[sarisataka]

10. I am surprised they didn't have a MEU nearby

But given this administration, maybe not so surprising

[EX500rider]

11. Yeah certainly not planning a ground invasion of Iran with that few troops..

But maybe thinking about seizing one of the islands at the mouth of the straights?
Their are about 8 of em of different sizes.

[peggysue2]

12. Here we go!

Straight into the abyss or from a more optimistic perspective:

The 'epic' quagmire has begun.

Blood and treasure. Watch them mount!

[vanessa_ca]

14. At this rate the Trump will soon release the full unredacted Epstein files to distract from Iran. -eom

[milestogo]

13. Those F-35s are over $100 million apiece.

There is so much good that could be done with that amount of money.

[multigraincracker]

17. Have a step grandson headed to boot camp in 2 weeks.

Told he only needs 3 words. “Sir, Yes, Sir”. Now drop and give me 20.

[bluestarone]

18. Senate RETHUGLICONS allowing this bullshit. Every Marine killed will be because of THEM!!

mr BONESPURS, first president in history with FULL IMMUNITY!! Jesus H Christ!! I'm so fucking pissed off here!! I bet BARRON has NOT registered for the draft!! I'm betting these troops will end up in the Strait of Hormuz area.