Iranian fast attack crafts attempting to confront the USS Boxer are in for a rude surprise. Instead of finding easy prey, they’re more likely to see a light armored vehicle strapped to the deck with a marine behind the trigger.
The creative defense solution comes as heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have the world on edge.
Despite provocations from Iran, the United States has so far avoided a major military retaliation to harassment from the Islamic republic.
The Boxer’s LAV, armed with 25mm chain guns as well as medium machine guns, is more than enough to take on small Iranian craft, which rely on numbers and speed to overwhelm ships.
A photo of the setup was captured by a Marine photographer and was quickly noticed by national security experts.
An AH-1Z Viper attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit takes off while an LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle provides security on the flight deck of the USS Boxer (LHD 4) during transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Aug. 12, 2019.
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Being armed to the teeth is never a bad thing, especially when Iran is nearby.
The Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, is already armed, but a few extra chain guns are always appreciated.
Although full of small ships, the Iranian navy is built purposefully for the strait.
Several months ago, these craft were able to pull off attacks on two separate oil tankers.
And just last month, Iran seized a British tanker in the area.
The decision to use an LAV to beef up a ship’s security is not new.
Director of Expeditionary Warfare Maj. Gen. David Coffman revealed that Marines have already figured out that not only is the extra firepower helpful, but that the LAVs are actually better at finding the tiny Iranian ships.
“I can tell you I watched a MEU commander strap an LAV to the front of a flight deck because it had better sensors than the ship did to find small boats,” Military.com reports Coffman saying at an event last year.
It looks like Marines are waking up to their armored vehicles’ more unique applications.
Any Iranian brave (or foolish) enough to test a United States military ship better hope he doesn’t wind up harassing the USS Boxer or it could be the last mistake he makes.
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