82nd Airborne Joins Marines In Gulf As Trump Weighs Next Move

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): Pentagon to send thousands of paratroopers from Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to Middle East, adding to massive U.S. military buildup even as President Trump talks about possible deal with Tehran to end war.

As I reported earlier, in addition to the USS Tripoli and 31^st MEU, the USS Boxer and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit with another 2,200 Marines has also been deployed to Middle East.

The paratrooper contingent consists of two battalions of roughly 800 soldiers each, from the division’s quick reaction brigade, known as the Immediate Response Force, along with the division’s commander, Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier, and supporting staff.

I jumped with the 82^nd Airborne years back when I served with them as a Marine ANGLICO Firepower Control Team (FCT) Leader providing naval gunfire and air support at the infantry company level.

The 1,600 paratroopers are expected to join roughly 4,500 Marines heading to the region, giving Trump a wider range of military options, including potential operations to seize Kharg Island, secure the Strait of Hormuz, or carry out other missions.

The Army troop move brings the total number of ground forces sent to the region to nearly 7,000.

In my earlier assessment recommending that Trump seize Kharg Island, I noted that the 82nd Airborne, and Rangers, was one option to achieve the objective, but that a MEU (or two), and SEALs, was uniquely suited to taking a small island.

The Pentagon may now be leaning toward using both capabilities, or at least having the options.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Co-founder of defense technology firm Anduril Industries, sharply criticized U.S. lawmakers, warning that congressional dysfunction and Silicon Valley arrogance were handing China strategic opening in race for military and technological supremacy.

New director of Cyber Command and National Security Agency (NSA) used his first all-hands meeting to urge his workforces to share more intelligence with U.S. allies and partners.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Judge calls Pentagon’s efforts to cut Anthropic’s AI out of its classified systems “troubling.” The company refused to adhere to Pentagon requirements.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Army ROTC cadets attending Old Dominion University were awarded eight meritorious service medals and two Purple Hearts for their actions subduing and killing an ISIS-inspired terrorist during shooting in their classroom earlier this month.

National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia have administered naloxone to more than 100 civilian individuals experiencing drug-related emergencies since August 2025.

US POWER OVERSEAS

USS Nimitz, now extended one year in service until 2027, deploying to Southern Command area of responsibility for a maritime exercise with South American partner nations.

IRAN CAMPAIGN

U.S. said to have sent Iran plan to end Middle East war. The 15-point plan was delivered via Pakistan, whose army chief has emerged as key interlocutor between U.S. and Iran.

Israel’s military plans to occupy swathe of southern Lebanon as a security buffer against Hezbollah.

Israel destroys vital bridges in southern Lebanon in preparation for ‘ground invasion.’

Israel announces territorial seizure in Lebanon up to Litani River.

Nearly 300 U.S. troops have been wounded in Operation Epic Fury amid drone, missile attacks. Most NOT seriously. Number of wounded continues to rise as campaign against Iran approaches fourth week.

Deadly Iran school strike casts shadow over Pentagon’s AI targeting push. On first day of U.S.-Iran war, a Tomahawk cruise missile struck Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab, southern Iran. At least 168 people were killed — more than 100 of them under the age of 12.

WAR’S REGIONAL/GLOBAL IMPACT

Britain’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has arrived in the eastern Mediterranean to help defend Cyprus after RAF Akrotiri was targeted by an Iranian-made drone.

‘Simple maneuver’ of opening Hormuz strait carries great risks. President Trump called NATO allies “cowards” for their unwillingness to help secure maritime traffic in Strait of Hormuz, which he said would be a “simple military maneuver” with little risk.

Former Navy minesweeper commander outlines U.S. counter-mine capability in a waterway like the Strait of Hormuz.

CHINA THREAT

China conducting vast undersea mapping and monitoring operation across Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans, building detailed knowledge of marine conditions that would be crucial for waging submarine warfare against U.S. and its allies.

Philippine Navy confirmed that armed Chinese navy corvette engaged its fire control radar against a Philippine frigate this month, marking latest escalation by China in contested areas in South China Sea.

EUROPEAN DEFENSES

Netherlands plans $1.1 billion rush order for extra Patriot system, to avoid losing its production slot and joining tail end of waiting list of international customers, which could push delivery back to 2033.

SPACE THREATS

Space Force shares intelligence on threats to space systems. Electronic warfare is growing threat.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Germany’s TKMS and Singapore-based ST Engineering’s naval division to establish joint submarine maintenance center in Singapore.

US MILITARY

Lockheed Martin giant successfully launched Hellfire missile from its new Grizzly launcher — housed within a 10-foot cargo container.

Air Force moving fast to develop ‘new class’ of low-cost munitions. New approaches to acquisition, faster testing, and lessons from combat are shrinking timelines for fielding low-cost munitions from years to months.

Army raises enlistment age to 42, eases marijuana restrictions for recruits with single legal conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.

END of PDB

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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