US Troops Get ‘Ready to Deploy’ Orders Amid Israel-Hamas War
About 2,000 non-combat American forces could be deployed to the Middle East to support Israel.
U.S. Navy sailors aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower deploy to the Mediterranean Sea from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on October 14, 2023.
About 2,000 U.S. troops could be deployed to Israel in support of the Jewish state’s war against Iran-backed Hamas terrorists.
The Wall Street Journal reports that “the U.S. military has selected roughly 2,000 troops to prepare for a potential deployment to support Israel, U.S. defense officials said. The troops are tasked with missions like advising and medical support, the officials said, and they are from across the U.S. armed services.”
In an important distinction, Pentagon officials told the WSJ that the troops “aren’t intended to serve in a combat role” but might be “preparing to support Israeli troops should Israel launch a ground incursion into Gaza.”
Fox News confirmed much of the WSJ‘s reporting except for the exact number of troops involved.
“Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has put in ‘be ready to deploy’ orders for a select number of American troops should Israel need them,” Fox reported.
BREAKING: 'Ready to deploy' orders sent to US troops as Israel-Hamas war escalateshttps://t.co/eYpU6pjDbo
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 16, 2023
On Monday evening, Reuters reported that Iran is a threatening a pre-emptive strike against unknown targets, “adding that Israel will not be allowed to take any action in the Gaza Strip without facing consequences.” Another Reuters report said the terrorist-supporting Iranian regime is claiming that the U.S. military “is already heavily involved in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and must be held to account.”
There is no evidence of any active U.S. military engagement in Israel or Gaza. There are, however, a combined 3,400 American troops in Iraq and Syria. Iran has repeatedly targeted U.S. forces serving in the Middle East with attacks carried out by proxy terrorist groups.
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As of Monday evening, the rapid response 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit was headed to waters off Israel aboard three U.S. Navy ships: the USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde and USS Carter Hall. Military.com reports that the unit “abruptly ended pre-scheduled training in Kuwait last week.”
“The 26th MEU is currently headed to the waters off of Israel,” said a defense official, as quoted by Military.com. “Should they be ordered, they could participate in some type of operation in support of Israel.”
Over the weekend, thousands of U.S. Navy sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower set sail for the Mediterranean Sea also in support of Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford recently arrived in the troubled region as well.
“I am scared,” Kelly Holbert, wife of U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Drew Holbert, told The Virginian-Pilot as her husband deployed aboard the Eisenhower. “It’s real now.”
Indeed, this worsening conflict is very real for thousands of new military families being affected on a daily basis. As we pray for Israel, please also keep our country’s brave troops and their loved ones in your prayers as well.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is the author of the forthcoming I Have Your Back, the recently released Be Bold and co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on X @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.
