As many of my readers have probably already noticed, Jon’s unit has been in the news quite a bit over the last couple of days as the primary force tasked with evacuating U.S. citizens from Lebanon due to the current conflict between Israel and the Iranian-funded Hezbollah militia.
Interestingly, BLT 1/8, the ground component of the 24th MEU, is the same unit that bore the brunt of the infamous 1983 Beirut terror attack. This time, it doesn’t seem likely that the ground element will go ashore in force unless the situation on the ground deteriorates much farther than currently anticipated, although small numbers of Marines or Navy SEALs will likely be needed to secure beach/helicopter landing zones.
Even offshore, though, it seems there is still some danger. Hezbollah has apparently been armed with advanced anti-ship missiles by their Iranian handlers, having used them to attack an Israeli warship late last week. It seems pretty unlikely that Hezbollah (and Iran) would choose to incite the wrath of the U.S. by firing on the USS Iwo Jima or other assets of the ESG, but I’m sure nerves are nevertheless tense, and the danger remains real. Keep the men and women of the Iwo ESG in your prayers.
