WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is sending about 1,000 troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Mideast.
The troops are to be sent in the coming days, a person with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press.
The unit is considered the Army’s emergency response force and can typically be deployed on short notice. The force would include a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team as well as Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier, the division’s commander, and division staff, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.
It’s the latest addition of troops after U.S. officials said last week that thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships would head to the region.
While the Marine units are trained in missions that include supporting U.S. embassies, evacuating civilians and disaster relief, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne are trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.
The New York Times reported earlier that the deployment was being considered.