Marines Considering Alternative Ships for SOUTHCOM Deployments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Marine Corps is preparing to deploy Marines on specialty platforms like the Expeditionary Fast Transport and the Expeditionary Sea Base to meet combatant commander demands in the Caribbean, a top general said Wednesday. Due to a lack of ready amphibious ships on both coasts, the next Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment from the East Coast will have to work with other platforms. The East Coast-based Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are nearing the end of their current deployment to U.S. Southern Command after getting extended until the end of May. “We