A team of heavily armed Marine Corps security personnel have been sent to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo

CNN ^

[roses of sharon]

– [Update 8:38 p.m. Cairo, 1:38 p.m. ET] A team of heavily armed Marine Corps security personnel have been sent to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to provide additional security for the facility, defense officials tell CNN. The small team of Marines, about a dozen according to one of the officials, are part of a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST). The Marines are inside the embassy perimeter. Egyptian military and security forces continue to provide security outside the embassy, the officials said.

[Melas]

Nothing new. Several name changes, but it’s been around since the turn of the 20th century. Originally it was known that Marine Security Force. Highly trained, but since they operate under the normal command structure (spec ops are all under strategic command) they aren’t considered spec ops.

[Robe]

I heard last night that the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was in the Red Sea.. She normally carries a contingent of about 2000 Marines. They also mentioned the the Kearsarge just unloaded 1400 Marines to the Afghan T.O., If the it hits the fan, that means we have about 600 Marines to defend the Canal. I don't like the way this is all lining up ....

[GonzoGOP]

And hopefully they have a contigent ready to protect the Suez canal if needed. If the Suez canal falls into enemy hands the world economy will crash. Again.

The Egyptian army has over 1000 M1A2 Tanks backed up by 1500 older M60A3s. If the army hasn't gone over then can take care of it themselves. If the army has gone over a rifle squad of Marines isn't going to make a difference. We would need to be going in with multiple divisions in order to hold the canal. And we just don't have those kind of forces available unless we strip Iraq and Afghanistan.

Facing the kind of equipment and odds we are likely to if Egypt tries what Iran did in 1979 a dozen marines is just adding to the potential casualties without adding anything to the defense. At this point we should reduce our embassy staff to the number of people that can be carried out on one Chinook helicopter. Then keep a Chinook parked on the roof just in case.

[madamemayhem]

I would define harms way as the space between the marine and his objective. Definition of “safest place on the planet” would be directly behind the marine.

[GeronL]

I think we can call it.

You are right.

I think we can declare it official.

Worst President Ever-elect!!!!

[Dead Corpse]

Yes. I remember.

And?

Marines do the jobs no one else can, could, or even should do. If that means dying, so be it.

If they are going in there "heavily armed", bet your ass that there won't be a full magazine left if their position gets over-run. Regardless of RoE.

[Sacajaweau]

Damn Obama....People should have been all out of there a week ago.

[rahbert]

Suez canal is Egyptian sovereign property - we have no buisness there. Marines killing Egyptians would put an
end to friendly relations with whatever government succeeds Mubarak, and we have a lot of interest in making sure that
Egypt stays on friendly terms with us.

[GonzoGOP]

I would define harms way as the space between the marine and his objective.

No that is being in the way. However being there does tend to result in getting harmed.

I'm just worried that Obama is going to hang these guys out like Clinton did out guys in Somalia. If we are going to fight send enough guys and equipment to make a difference. If we are not going to fight, pull the heck out and don't wast the lives of the Marines. Wake Island might have made good theater, but is was a waste of good men. And God only knows we are going to need every one of them before this is all over.

[rbosque]

I’m guessing they brought enough firepower to put a world of hurt of those maniacs. Don’t want to see a repeat of Tehran.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

They had to get Egyptian government permission and paperwork to insure their diplomatic status.

Likewise, they probably had to negotiate their special ROE, in case the embassy is attacked. That is essentially, permission under what circumstances the Marines could shoot Egyptians that attack our embassy.

This is not easy stuff to get from a government under siege, or any other time for that matter.

[rottndog]

OORAH!!!!

[blackdog]

It took six days to shred, burn, and wipe all the hard drives. It also took six days to set up firing positions directed at the embassy and flight paths in and out.

Don't fret though, Wikileaks has backup files.

[Elwood P. Doud]

Cool rhino helmets.

[Osage Orange]

Why does that one guy sitting there...look like he’s 7 ft tall?

[rottndog]

I think he’s sitting on his bag.

[blu]

Why does that one guy sitting there...look like he’s 7 ft tall?

cos he's a Marine! Aren't they all 7 ft tall, minimum?

[oh8eleven]

A team of heavily armed Marine Corps security personnel ...
Good picture, but I wouldn't consider those Marines heavily armed.

[Melchior]

Don’t make me laugh. Marines take their orders from the Ambassador, not the Marine commander. And most Ambassadors that I have met and worked for will not under any circumstance order them to fire.

[Dead Corpse]

As a Marine, the last thing on my mind would be making you laugh.