Kharg Island is the target? How many Burkes and fighters to protect our ground forces?

🇺🇸🇮🇱 BREAKING | According to i24News, in recent days, high-ranking US officials have informed their Israeli and other country counterparts that, most likely, there will be no other option and the United States will have to launch a ground operation to seize Iran's Kharg Island.… pic.twitter.com/8Yp0o5OBz8

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 22, 2026

We take the island then its game over. But I don't think it will be "easy". That doesn't mean impossible or even theoretically difficult. By not being easy I think that we will inevitably see Marines die. I wonder what the estimated cost of an amphibious assault is to the Pentagon.

US Air Power is rolling back Iranian anti-ship/air sites. Amphibious Assault preps have started.

My guess is that we're gonna see a full MEB (the two MEUs) hit deck on some island in the straits. This looks like pre-assault preps. Additional guess? I'm betting that we see another Marine battalion air lifted into a forward staging base to reinforce the assault once it starts. The only thing that has me wondering is what role the 82nd will play. Are they gonna seize an island too or are they gonna act as "region QRF". I read reports that Delta was primed to take the enriched uranium but that was called off at the last minute (God please save SOCOM from itself....they want a raid from hell so bad it seems) I have to wonder if that's back on the menu. That kinda leaves me wondering what the Israelis are gonna do. I don't see them sitting on the sidelines when boots go on the ground. Supposedly their naval commandos are top notch and I can see them getting into this in a big way.

🚨 Reports coming in NOW on extensive attacks on the COAST of Iran 🇮🇷 — in Bandar Abbas, BUSHEHR, Bandar Lengeh, and Qeshm Island. It is apparently US 🇺🇸 attacks to soften Iran's defense systems ALONG the Strait of Hormuz. This appears tied to efforts to degrade Iran's NAVAL,… pic.twitter.com/Fq7oh8WSBn

— Inside_Israel_Intel (@inside_IL_intel) March 22, 2026

Army reddit just told me about a new drug

Can't keep ahead of the illegal chemists in this world. Another addictive substance? Fuck me...

 

The drug plaguing soldiers
by u/Ltcolonel-glokta in army

Anyone have the real story on the F-35 getting hit?

 Many have talked about it but I just don't get it.

The F-35 got hit from the ground.  Some are saying ground fire, some are saying a heat seeking missile, no one seems to know for sure.

Gotta alot of people on this blog that are still cued in.

What was it?

I imagine if it was a golden bb then that's all pilot error (I mean the F-35 is supposed to shit different from an A-10 right?).  But even a heat seeking missile is kinda concerning cause we're supposed to have countermeasures against threat missiles right?

USS Tripoli Conducts Flight Operations with CH-53 Super Stallion

The UK's nuclear sub crews are high as fuck!

🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
175 sailors from Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet have failed drug tests, including 52 assigned to boats actively at sea. Almost all of those caught have been fired. Full story: https://t.co/sCHj2JzuQh

— Tom Cotterill (@TomCotterillX) March 21, 2026

Fired? I doubt it. Maybe left on the dock till they finish rehab but they're in a manpower crunch. They'll try and rehabilitate as many as they can.

Open Comment Post. 21 Mar 26

 

This war is disturbing to me. But to hear this from General Mattis makes me pause.

Still have misgivings about this Iran war thing. Still want us to win and win big. Proud of the Marines headed into harms way and stoked about the performance of the Aviators in our Air Forces (Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force plus others flying our flag) and in awe of our Soldiers lobbing missiles across the straits. 

 Having said all that hearing Mattis say this gives me pause. I'm not in the "Saint" Mattis camp. To me he's just another 4 star bumping his lips. He's as political as the rest (you reach that rank, it comes with the job) and I don't know if politics is tainting his view. But at the same time I can't ignore his EXPERIENCE. He is no deity but he has been there and done that.

 

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China's new attack helicopter is....interesting

Apparently we've got the clearest image of the Z-21, China's new heavy attack helicopter so far.
However, besides some details that are now finally clearly recognisable, such as sensors, cockpit, rotor, & the engine nacelles including exhausts, some details also appear strange... pic.twitter.com/CG5FoTDr2d

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) March 20, 2026

The US Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle is turning back into a regular pickup truck

 

The Infantry Squad Vehicle is about to level up.

Check out this prototype of the Next Generation Tactical Vehicle that the 4th Infantry Division used for exercise Ivy Sting IV. This vehicle seats up to six Soldiers and provides onboard power capabilities to support the… pic.twitter.com/8fCFS5qw75

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) March 20, 2026

Light Infantry in the form of the 82nd & 2 MEUs are the planned ground force for action in Iran???

🇺🇲🇮🇷BREAKING | According to CBS News, Pentagon officials have developed detailed plans for the possible deployment of U.S. ground forces in Iran — in preparation for this option, high-ranking military commanders have already presented specific requests to the leadership in case… pic.twitter.com/43tfSiwaxR

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 20, 2026

Geez. Talk about going light!

This is light as hell.

I know the 82nd is trying to heavy up a bit but still.  The MEUs have no real armor...the ACV is probably one of the lightest armored APC/IFV in the world (of the modern vehicles) and both forces will be using JLTVs as their primary rides (GOD SAVE US if they want to use those militarized polaris!).

10K troops is not many soldiers/Marines to put on the ground.  Lets hope airpower can keep them safe and/or that they're limited to seizing islands.

Now the 11th MEU is headed to the Middle East?

So what is this now? A MEB(-)?

 

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We haven't talked about the theory that Iran is all about China...

 I'm sure everyone on this blog has heard that all this is about China.  Supposedly it started with the Panama Canal dust up, spread to Mexico in the guise of fighting the cartels, zoomed over to Venezuela to stop the flow of oil to China from there and now it culminates with Iran.

If I'm stating it correctly this is a direct shot across the bow to Chinese energy supplies and some are stating that it will slow down their AI program (I seriously doubt that...too much solar and nuclear going on).

Others are stating that its all about to petrodollar.  Iran talked about trading for oil only in the Chinese dollar and that some of the other countries "targeted" were all about that shit too.

I don't know what to think of it but if true then its some big time chess going on that the media is either missing or not telling us about.

Of course there are other theories too.  But this one sings the most to me.  What do ya'll think?

NOTE!!!!

I might be mistating all of the above.  Hopefully I gave enough cliffsnotes to get most to understand the direction I was heading.

Late Open Comment Post. 19 Mar 26

 

Mark Levin has labeled people like me that have doubts about the Iran war as Nazis & Anti-Semites. But are we falling into an escalation trap?

The Escalation Trap works like this: pic.twitter.com/AeJwoYzkEO

— Robert A. Pape (@ProfessorPape) March 15, 2026

Most wars escalate beyond what leaders intend.

I study this dynamic — the Escalation Trap.

The Iran war is now showing the same strategic patterns seen in Vietnam and Kosovo.

I write short strategic briefings explaining what to watch next.

Subscribe:
https://t.co/JdhoWKJ5P0 pic.twitter.com/kOijVQFtpI

— Robert A. Pape (@ProfessorPape) March 13, 2026

I don't see the connection he's making with past wars BUT I DO agree with his premise. So what is the "escalation trap" here? I believe its the same as we found in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can win the battles, but controlling the populations while fighting a counter insurgency is the main risk I think.

We've been incredibly successful up to this point in the war.  The Iranian Navy is done.  The Army is on its back foot and the elite forces are hollowed out.

Uprisings by the people are increasing and local security forces are in a bind.

My worry is that once they setup a replacement govt the call will go out to provide "stabilization" forces.

The Israelis can't participate.

The Europeans won't participate.

That leaves the US (we broke it, we own it) and in essence UN peacekeepers (mercenaries) from undeveloped or developing countries to be paid a price to provide troops.

This means years on the ground while every terrorist group in the region attempts to flood in to kill Americans trying to rebuild the country.  It means holders on from the previous regime trying to reclaim power.

It means terror attacks on our home soil as muslims are further radicalized.

It won't be a typical escalation trap but the sad old tale of how America gets its shit pushed in despite having the most powerful military in the world, even after we literally destroyed the enemy.

Hope I'm wrong.

But one thing is true.

We can take out any country on this planet.  We just can't rebuild after we tear it up.

Open Comment Post. 18 Mar 26

Borsuk IFV on the range

Israel plans to greenlight the call-up of up to 450,000 reservists

NEW: Israel plans to greenlight the call-up of up to 450,000 reservists following a request from the IDF.

— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) March 15, 2026

This will destroy the IDF reserve. They already had trouble with reservists not showing up and now another big incursion into Lebanon? Not to mention what it will do to the Israeli economy? Someone isn't thinking past their nose.

The price in good Americans in the fight against Iran is already high and I fear going to rise even more (updated)

Also…. pic.twitter.com/mtiXmx8c8w

— Angelina Reagan 🌸🌺🌼 (@AngelinaReagan7) March 14, 2026

Heartbreaking. Dude won't get a chance to see his kids grow up. They'll be lucky to remember his face, voice....his wife might re-marry but she's gonna be fucked up for life. God bless the fallen. Note. Reading further down I saw a pic of the Tech Sgt (hope I have his rank right). Even further down is the Co-pilot. Just plain fuck. Its always been the young that die in war but getting older, at least for me, its becoming more unacceptable unless absolutely necessary for the preservation of the nation.

Rest Easy U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ariana A. Bouche, a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot. You are a hero. 🇺🇸

There is no greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. ~John 15:13 pic.twitter.com/UOkDRTY0as

— Angelina Reagan 🌸🌺🌼 (@AngelinaReagan7) March 14, 2026

If this is true then we're gonna need more than an MEU & the 82nd. Amphibious/Airborne Assault is back on the menu (geez...if they're doing this then they're going way too light)

🇺🇸🇮🇷 BREAKING | An Iranian source told Reuters that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) strongly believes that if Iran loses control of the Strait of Hormuz, it will effectively lose the war.

For this reason, Donald Trump will likely do everything possible to ensure… pic.twitter.com/NkuGNJ3mwc

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 14, 2026

Seize an island? Ok. Depending on size an MEU MIGHT be able to do that. Seize the Iranian shoreline? Ft Apache on enemy soil. Not a good look and the entire 82nd I don't believe will be able to hold it without a CONTINUOUS orbit of bombers/fighters overhead (probably more than a few attack helicopter battalions too). If this is true then its risky as fuck. At least from my chair it seems risky.