Compass Points - Landing Force?
Buildup in Middle East?
Compass Points - Landing Force?
Buildup in Middle East?
March 26, 2025
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Land the landing force!
The US has not said that yet, but there is a ongoing, significant US military buildup in and around the Middle East. US policy makers obviously want to make sure they have plenty of options.
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A significant force of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers looks to be currently wending its way to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Satellite imagery shows at least three C-17 cargo planes and 10 aerial refueling tankers forward-deployed in the last 48 hours to the highly strategic British territory, which has been used as a staging point for U.S. strikes in the Middle East on multiple occasions in the past. The build-up comes amid a new surge in U.S. strikes targeting the Houthis and growing warnings to Iran from the Trump administration over support for the Yemeni militants and Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The crews of two B-2 bombers, callsigns Pitch 11 and Pitch 14, could be heard communicating with air traffic controllers in Australia earlier today in publicly available audio. The crew of Pitch 11 confirms the presence of a third bomber, as well. The trio of bombers appears to have refueled in flight over Australia while heading westward.
-- TWZ
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In addition, reports indicate, "US Navy to deploy second carrier group to Middle East to counter Houthi rebels."
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The United States Navy is to deploy a second carrier strike group to the Middle East in response to escalating threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
According to an anonymous US official speaking to the Associated Press, the USS Carl Vinson will soon join the USS Harry S. Truman, which has had its deployment extended by one month.
The move to send the Carl Vinson to join the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group underlines Washington’s intention to bolster its presence against the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have intensified their attacks on international vessels in strategic waterways.
Officials say the enhanced US Navy presence will focus on ensuring freedom of navigation in the region. Since November 2023, Houthi rebels have launched multiple anti-ship missiles and ‘kamikaze’ drones against both military and commercial targets transiting the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have disrupted international commerce, with an estimated 12% of global trade passing through the affected region.
-- Aerotime
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US Navy forces in the region also have the Saildrone an unmanned drone boat, recently hardened against GPS jamming.
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Saildrone, a U.S. manufacturer of unmanned surface vessels, has integrated new protective equipment onto its drone boats operating in the Middle East to safeguard them against widespread jamming of communication systems in the region.
The company said it had successfully deployed its Saildrone Voyager, a 33-foot USV, in Jordan, with new hardware and software algorithms, allowing it to operate in GPS-denied environments.
“Due to regional events, GPS jamming and spoofing have hindered unmanned operating systems in the area – following intensive testing by our engineers to create a resilient positioning system, Saildrone now has the ability to autonomously operate in spoofed maritime environments,” a company statement reads.
-- Defense News
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Also available to support any operations in the Middle East are the pre-positioning ships at Diego Garcia.
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COMPSRON 2, maintains tactical control of nine ships forward deployed to Diego Garcia and carrying afloat prepositioned U.S. military cargo for the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force. The squadron's mission is to enable the force from the sea by providing swift and effective transportation of vital equipment and supplies for designated operations.
-- Military Sealift Command - Diego Garcia
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Many news outlets are reporting that there is a significant US military buildup in and around the Middle East. US policy makers obviously want to make sure they have plenty of options.
Among the options being assembled are scarce B2 bombers, two carrier strike groups, and even unmanned drone boats. Nearby are the pre-positioning supply ships of COMPSRON 2 in Diego Garcia.
There is one option that is not present as part of the currently assembled US military options in the Middle East; there is no Navy & Marine Corps Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit. Marines onboard Navy amphibious ships and supported by pre-positioning supply ships provide flexible crisis response options. When Marines arrive off any troubled shore, allies are reassured and enemies are worried.
US policy makers should always be able to plan that the on scene commander can call out, "land the landing force!" and be confident that Marines onboard Navy ships are nearby and ready to deter, assist, and fight.
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TWZ - 03/25/2025
Signs U.S. Massing B-2 Spirit Bombers In Diego Garcia
The U.S. is flowing in airpower to the Indian Ocean outpost as threats to Iran escalate and the bombing campaign against the Houthis grinds on.
By Joseph Trevithick and Howard Altman
https://www.twz.com/air/signs-u-s-massing-b-2-spirit-bombers-in-diego-garcia
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Aerotime - 03/25/2025
US Navy to deploy second carrier group to Middle East to counter Houthi rebels
By Clement Charpentreau
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/us-deploys-second-carrier-middle-east-houthi-attacks
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Defense News - 03/25/2025
Saildrone Launches Red Sea Naval Drone Hardened Against GPS Jamming
By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo
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Military Sealift Command - Diego Garcia
Commander, Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Two Changes the Helm
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charlotte C. Oliver
The points made about foreign building of US Warships to surge our ability to grow the Navy are valid and have been made repeatedly. We simply must stop procrastinating.
No need to beat the dead horse of an irrelevant Marine Corps.
Next I ask about Allies building better Amphibious Ships quicker:Yes, shipyards in the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, and other allies could potentially build amphibious ships faster and, in some cases, better than current U.S. capabilities, due to their advanced industrial bases, efficiency, and cost advantages. Here’s why:
ROK shipyards, like HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, dominate global shipbuilding, producing 30% of the world’s ships. They excel in rapid, high-quality construction—Ulsan’s yard churns out 40-50 vessels annually, including warships, using modular techniques that cut build times. Japan, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, follows at 17%, building advanced Aegis-equipped destroyers like the Maya-class in about 3-4 years, compared to 6-7 years for similar U.S. ships like the Arleigh Burke-class. Both nations leverage modern automation, skilled labor, and integrated steel production, keeping costs low—ROK builds frigates for $500 million versus $2.5 billion for U.S. equivalents.
U.S. shipyards, like Ingalls and Bath Iron Works, face delays from aging infrastructure, labor shortages, and less efficient processes. The Constellation-class frigate, for example, is already over budget at $1.2 billion per ship and years behind schedule. ROK and Japan’s yards, by contrast, have order books full through 2029, reflecting reliability and speed.
Other allies, like Italy’s Fincantieri (building U.S. frigates) or Australia’s Austal, also show promise. Italy delivered FREMM frigates in 5 years, faster than U.S. timelines. However, ROK and Japan stand out for scale and naval expertise. Their ships often match or exceed U.S. quality—ROK’s Sejong-class destroyers and Japan’s Izumo-class carriers boast cutting-edge tech.
The catch? U.S. laws like the Jones Act and security concerns limit outsourcing. Still, allies could fill gaps, especially for amphibious ships, if legal and political hurdles are cleared. Their track record suggests faster, cheaper, and at least as good.