At least 1,000 US troops from 82nd Airborne in North Carolina set to deploy to Mideast

An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper participates in artillery training during a field exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Aug. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Sarah Blake Morgan, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days, according to three people with knowledge of the plans.

The unit is considered the Army’s emergency response force and can typically be deployed on short notice. The force would include a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team as well as Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier, the division’s commander, and division staff, according to the people, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans or private conversations.

It’s the latest addition of American troops to the Iran war effort after U.S. officials recently said thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships will be heading to the region.