Increased security at San Diego County Marine bases has led to delays entering the installations.
The increased security checks at MCAS Miramar and Camp Pendleton are the result of the rising tensions in the Middle East and threats by the Iranian government that it will retaliate for the U.S airstrike that killed Iran's top military commander on January 2nd.
The Pentagon has sent additional troops to the Middle East that according to a report at Business Insider, includes:
Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team are reportedly deploying to the Middle East as part of an ongoing buildup in preparation for increased Iranian aggression in the region. The 173rd ABCT is a rapid response force based in Vicenza, Italy. They will join thousands of troops who have already deployed, or are preparing to do so, including:
- 3,500 paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division, who were sent to Kuwait.
- A"contingent" of Army Rangers with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
- Around 2,200 Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (based at Camp Lejeune, NC, that are embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, which is homeported in Norfolk, VA..
- About 100 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, who deployed to the US Embassy in Baghdad as part of the Special Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response — Central Command.
(Photo credit reporting partner 10News)