Hi Simon, yes 100%. But one option is an aviation-heavy assault rather than a classic amphibious landing. Marines could, in theory, come in by MV-22s or heavy helicopters from ships or land bases, seize key points, and treat it as a raid or lodgment first, then worry about follow-on sustainment. The problem is that aircraft can move people faster than they can move the mountains of fuel, ammo, air-defense gear, engineering kit, and spare parts needed to hold an island under fire. The CH-53K’s mission radius is about 110 nautical miles, which is useful for regional assault support, though it does not magically solve the sustainment problem by itself.
Another option is staging from Gulf bases already inside the theater and launching a heliborne or small-boat assault from there. That avoids having to push an entire amphibious group through the Strait at the moment of assault. It does not avoid the bigger problem: once you’re on Kharg, you still have to resupply and defend a force sitting within easy reach of Iran’s coast.
Well articulated Wes! This is the situation and people need to understand that this guy is incapable of finding a way out of the mess he created to distract from Epstein, satisfy Bibi and his own greedy ego. He could care less what it costs Americans both military and civilian alike. Just pay your taxes and let him spend/steal what he likes. While giving his wealthy buddies whatever they want including Putin.
The president will always be a representative of the American people to the world. The American people are a mixed bag. So how did we pick the very worst of us to be represented? The very, very worst.
Thank you for this Wes. A clear understandable explanation of why sending the Marines here is even more stupid than «Missisippoli» (did you get around to listen to Tom Lehrer actually? ) It’s sending them to a death trap. Your explanation of why was nice. I honestly don’t think this will happen, because there must be enough experienced soldiers out there who understands this. We shall see. But you had another important point I think many (myself included) haven’t understood. You wrote: «The US way of making war is “alliance warfare.”» That is important. Because it was true in Iraq (a coalition of the willing), true in Libya, true in Afghanistan… true in Serbia too. Before Trump the US presidents have managedto get support from others. Here? Israel, but honestly relative to Iran Israel is not really seeing things straight. And they end up drawing on the same stockpiles. So here we are. Irans civilians will definitely pay the price as will Israeli civilians, Iraqi civilians, other civilians around the Straith. All because of this idiot and his cronies. We Norwegians sometimes says «Uff da» when something bad happens, but here I think we need stronger words. Or prayers. And me an atheist….
I notice you did not mention the Iranian stealth underwater drone. The Azhdar. If I were the person in charge of the Jerry Ford, I would claim a problem developed and that I needed to go elsewhere. The Azhdar is not expensive and supposedly they have quite a few. I don't see even getting onto Karg Island without some substantial losses.
Our problem is that Iran knows if it does not extract a huge price, Israel and the U.S. will be back again in a few years. They have to make it too costly to ever return. This is obviously the regime‘s greatest moment of vulnerability, but it could also prove to be their greatest moment of opportunity. I fear China will conclude we are weak because we ignore professionals and make emotional decisions.
This reminds one of the second world war in the Pacific with those tremendous casualty rates even with Modern equipment and personal armour. I thought this was a Lesson learned and not to be repeated.
I’m trying to remember the earliest military accounts of what are now called the Straight of Hormuz and Kharg Island. I think it was before Xerxes I, and even then, looking from Egypt and/or Greece, it was regarded as both vital to trade and a very tough strategic nut to crack.
I would be very surprised if the Iranians haven't thickly mined most of the island. They've probably brought in IRGC troops and registered their weapons, too.
In an extreme case, they might wire up the oil tanks with explosives. I see absolutely no way we could get on/off the island without huge casualty numbers.
I assume you first need to get the MEUs through the Straits don't you? Particularly if they want their toys there to play with.
Hi Simon, yes 100%. But one option is an aviation-heavy assault rather than a classic amphibious landing. Marines could, in theory, come in by MV-22s or heavy helicopters from ships or land bases, seize key points, and treat it as a raid or lodgment first, then worry about follow-on sustainment. The problem is that aircraft can move people faster than they can move the mountains of fuel, ammo, air-defense gear, engineering kit, and spare parts needed to hold an island under fire. The CH-53K’s mission radius is about 110 nautical miles, which is useful for regional assault support, though it does not magically solve the sustainment problem by itself.
Another option is staging from Gulf bases already inside the theater and launching a heliborne or small-boat assault from there. That avoids having to push an entire amphibious group through the Strait at the moment of assault. It does not avoid the bigger problem: once you’re on Kharg, you still have to resupply and defend a force sitting within easy reach of Iran’s coast.
Airborne would be even riskier and very thin sustainment pipeline.
The island is too small to be occupied by Airborne. A lot of troops would end up in the Gulf and likely drown.
Now Trump has a war just like Putin's! Neither can get out of their respective wars without having something to show for it.
Well articulated Wes! This is the situation and people need to understand that this guy is incapable of finding a way out of the mess he created to distract from Epstein, satisfy Bibi and his own greedy ego. He could care less what it costs Americans both military and civilian alike. Just pay your taxes and let him spend/steal what he likes. While giving his wealthy buddies whatever they want including Putin.
The president will always be a representative of the American people to the world. The American people are a mixed bag. So how did we pick the very worst of us to be represented? The very, very worst.
Thank you for this Wes. A clear understandable explanation of why sending the Marines here is even more stupid than «Missisippoli» (did you get around to listen to Tom Lehrer actually? ) It’s sending them to a death trap. Your explanation of why was nice. I honestly don’t think this will happen, because there must be enough experienced soldiers out there who understands this. We shall see. But you had another important point I think many (myself included) haven’t understood. You wrote: «The US way of making war is “alliance warfare.”» That is important. Because it was true in Iraq (a coalition of the willing), true in Libya, true in Afghanistan… true in Serbia too. Before Trump the US presidents have managedto get support from others. Here? Israel, but honestly relative to Iran Israel is not really seeing things straight. And they end up drawing on the same stockpiles. So here we are. Irans civilians will definitely pay the price as will Israeli civilians, Iraqi civilians, other civilians around the Straith. All because of this idiot and his cronies. We Norwegians sometimes says «Uff da» when something bad happens, but here I think we need stronger words. Or prayers. And me an atheist….
I notice you did not mention the Iranian stealth underwater drone. The Azhdar. If I were the person in charge of the Jerry Ford, I would claim a problem developed and that I needed to go elsewhere. The Azhdar is not expensive and supposedly they have quite a few. I don't see even getting onto Karg Island without some substantial losses.
Our problem is that Iran knows if it does not extract a huge price, Israel and the U.S. will be back again in a few years. They have to make it too costly to ever return. This is obviously the regime‘s greatest moment of vulnerability, but it could also prove to be their greatest moment of opportunity. I fear China will conclude we are weak because we ignore professionals and make emotional decisions.
This reminds one of the second world war in the Pacific with those tremendous casualty rates even with Modern equipment and personal armour. I thought this was a Lesson learned and not to be repeated.
We're not taking the island as it would solve nothing and once you take it you have to hold it and that's when the long drawn out conflict begins.
I’m trying to remember the earliest military accounts of what are now called the Straight of Hormuz and Kharg Island. I think it was before Xerxes I, and even then, looking from Egypt and/or Greece, it was regarded as both vital to trade and a very tough strategic nut to crack.
Shades of a land war in Asia…
I would be very surprised if the Iranians haven't thickly mined most of the island. They've probably brought in IRGC troops and registered their weapons, too.
In an extreme case, they might wire up the oil tanks with explosives. I see absolutely no way we could get on/off the island without huge casualty numbers.