Boots to Iran? 82nd Airborne Division US Armed Forces suddenly canceled exercises — WP

Specializing in ground operations and other complex missions, the elite 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army may be sent to Iran. This is reported by The Washington Post.

Such rumors appeared after the division's participation in major exercises was suddenly canceled.

"The army has abruptly canceled major exercises for an elite parachute unit in recent days, officials said, fueling speculation in the Ministry of Defense that soldiers specializing in ground combat and a number of other missions could be sent to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran expands," the publication says.

The 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, includes a brigade combat team of about 4-5 thousand soldiers ready to deploy in 18 hours to complete tasks such as capturing airfields and other critical infrastructure, strengthening the protection of US embassies and emergency evacuation.

The day before, officials told the newspaper that no deployment orders had been received. According to them, the army is expected to announce soon the previously planned deployment of a helicopter unit to the Middle East with the 82 Squadron, but this will happen later in the spring.

It is noted that an unexpected change in the plans of the headquarters — the unit was ordered to remain in North Carolina, rather than participating in training events at Fort Polk in Louisiana - and the high role of the 82nd Airborne in past conflicts increased expectations that the division's Immediate Response Forces could be called in.

"We are all preparing for something — just in case," said one of the officials.

Representatives of the US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, declined to comment, the newspaper writes.