Thousands of US Marines deploy from Indo-Pacific to Middle East

Thousands of more United States troops and war ships from the Indo-Pacific Region are being deployed to the Middle East, according to national reports.  What does the reallocation of U.S. assets mean for security in this part of the world? 

Pentagon sources tells CBS News that thousands of U.S. troops have been ordered to the Middle East to support the war on Iran.  This includes a contingent of some-2,500 Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Japan and the USS Tripoli, a key amphibious assault ship usually protecting the Indo-Pacific. 

Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero on Friday was not aware of any U.S. Navy ships in the region being reallocated to the Middle East then. "I haven’t heard anything about ships relocating or moving or any of that," she said. The governor, who just returned from a Taiwan trade mission last week, says she did not feel a heightened sense of security in the region, whose biggest threat remains China. 

He explained, "We didn’t talk officially about Iran. But of course, like any other airport and any other place, security is tightened just for the protection of travelers and so forth. But I didn’t see any sense or feel a sense of a threat there concerning Iran."

The Trump Administration has suggested the Navy and its partners could escort oil vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian forces have effectively shut down, sending the price of oil soaring.

Guam congressman James Moylan told KUAM on Friday that he believes President Donald Trump will end the conflict quickly, without compromising defense in this side of the world. "I’m confident that we have this under watch and ready in case the situation escalates," he said.

13 U.S. servicemembers have been confirmed dead as part of Operation Epic Fury, among more than 1,000 casualties as the war on Iran escalates. 

Moylan says Trump has not informed Congress about plans to send troops on the ground, which the president reportedly has not ruled out. The local delegate said, "If it's necessary, I’m sure he’s going to inform how this is going to play out. We’re ready, focus is ready, also is precision on the Indo-Pacom area to make sure we can defend and not let this area go at all. I’m confident that we can maintain our defense here, too."

In the meantime, security concerns in the region remain as U.S. forces are split among multiple fronts. 

National reports say the U.S. is also relocating parts of a missile defense system in South Korea to the Middle East.

As for U.S. assets on Guam, Adelup public information officer John Ryan told KUAM News today that the governor spoke with the admirals, who confirmed no U.S. assets are being moved from Guam to the Middle East.