The New Dark Age

Monday, 16 March 2026 — The New Atlas

• The US is sending a US Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) including the USS Tripoli with 2,500 Marines, F-35 warplanes, V-22 Osprey, and transport helicopters;

• Out of 2,500 Marines, only 1,200 are part of a ground combat element, the rest are spread across air combat elements, command, logistics, and other supporting roles;

• The MEU could participate in the seizure of Kharg Island and other critical facilities, board and seize ships, sink ships, augment US regional airpower with its F-35 warplanes, or augment US regional missile forces with its compliment of HIMARS and ATACMS/PrSM munitions;

• The MEU poses a threat to the shipping of energy to China Iran is reportedly allowing through the Strait of Hormuz specifically because of its anti-shipping capabilities created under the Biden administration specifically for war with China;