Little-known Marine battle group deployed from San Diego to Middle East — here’s what they’ll do
Three warships from San Diego and more than 2,000 Marines heading to the Middle East could play an important role in the United States’ operations against Iran.
The San Diego–based USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, along with two additional ships that make up the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently en route to the region, the California Post previously reported. The deployment comes as President Donald Trump works to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. In recent months, the Marines assigned to the mission had been training at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. Families recently gathered to say emotional goodbyes as the troops departed.
The USS Boxer and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit operate as part of an Amphibious Ready Group, commonly referred to as an ARG. These groups typically consist of an amphibious assault ship, a transport dock ship, and a support vessel, according to military news outlet Breaking Defense.
The Marine unit itself includes a powerful mix of infantry, artillery, combat engineers, vehicles, and aircraft. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith has described the ARG-MEU combination as one of the most versatile and capable rapid-response forces available to the United States.
Smith noted in a speech last year, reported by Breaking Defense, that the ARG-MEU can launch operations from a distance and return to sea without relying on bases or resources on foreign territory. These units are capable of remaining offshore for extended periods and can conduct operations by air, sea, and land.
A central component of the deployment from Camp Pendleton is the USS Boxer. The 844-foot amphibious assault ship, which has been in service for roughly three decades, can operate similarly to a small aircraft carrier and support F-35B stealth fighter jets, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The aircraft are capable of speeds of about 1,200 miles per hour and have already been used in operations targeting Iranian air defense systems and infrastructure.
In addition to stealth fighters, the USS Boxer carries attack helicopters and includes a built-in medical facility. The Trump administration has also been evaluating Iran’s Kharg Island, located off the country’s coast, as a potential strategic target that could disrupt Iran’s economy and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Amphibious Ready Groups like the one centered on the USS Boxer are designed for operations of that nature, though the exact destination of the San Diego deployment has not been confirmed.
The United States has also sent another Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East. That group includes the Japan-based USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship along with two supporting vessels.
About Post Author
