RE: https://mastodon.social/@randahl/116226084618143000

AP now reports that another 2500 marines are en route on USS Boxer and two other war ships.

This could indicate Trump will attempt to occupy the Strait of Hormuz.

@randahl I served as a Corpsman (Navy combat medic) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and deployed with the 7th Fleet amphibious assault fleet based out of Japan. I don't have current information, but based on my experience, the Marine detachment WILL make an amphibious assault landing.
@desertsquare @randahl are they skilled rock climbers? As I guess there will be much of that if they come the sea way...
@aho that LHA ship carrying the Marines has helicopters and landing craft capable transporting troops. I was on one just like it.
@randahl

@desertsquare @aho @randahl
We can't let this happen. Like shooting sitting Ducks in a barrel of fish.

Or something.

@desertsquare @randahl this assuming the target is Kharg island as mentioned, for US navy ships to get all the way there, secure the coast of Hormuz and then still like 48 hours sailing during which Iran still can launch drones. Flying helicopter from the other side of Hormuz is a long distance and don't see getting enough men to hold the island (mini operation maybe).
I would bet a better luck if starting from Saudi Arabia with small boats and helicopters, but still quite risky IMHO.
@aho
I don't know anything about all of that. What I do know, the 31st MEU wouldn't be deployed if they aren't going to be used. If there was going to be any rock climbing, they'd send the 10th Mountain Div.
@randahl
@desertsquare @randahl let's see how things develop and hope that someone won't demand something that could cost a lot of service men/females lives and then be called loosers ...