JUST A LITTLE LATER, GUYS. ALL RIGHT, JOHN, THANK YOU. WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW BREAKING NEWS OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DEPLOYING HUNDREDS OF TROOPS FROM FORT BRAGG TO THE MIDDLE EAST AS THE CONFLICT WITH IRAN DRAGS ON. WXII 12 BETHANY CATES JOINS US FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA MILITARY BASE WITH A LOOK AHEAD. BETHANY. MORE THAN A THOUSAND TROOPS FROM FORT BRAGG’S 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION WILL SOON BE HEADED TO THE MIDDLE EAST AFTER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP APPROVED THE ORDER. WE SPOKE WITH A RETIRED 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION SOLDIER WHO SAYS HE KNOWS THE EMOTIONS THAT ARE CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE BASE RIGHT NOW. IT’S HARD. ALL I CAN SAY IS IT’S REALLY HARD. AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF CONSTANT CONFLICT BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAN, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS DEPLOYING MORE U.S. TROOPS TO THE MIDDLE EAST, AND THAT INCLUDES SOLDIERS FROM RIGHT HERE WITH THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION AT FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA. THESE SOLDIERS ARE TRAINED TO PARACHUTE INTO HOSTILE TERRITORY. AND ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE DEPLOYMENT WAS APPROVED MONDAY NIGHT AND IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE COMMAND STAFF AND SOME GROUND FORCES BEING A SECOND DIVISION IS A FAST. IT’S A FAST, FAST PACE, PRETTY MUCH. WITHIN LIKE 48 HOURS. YOU’RE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF THERE. MARQUIS JOHNSON IS A RETIRED 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION SOLDIER AND SAYS DEPLOYMENTS ARE SOMETHING THAT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY, BUT IT’S ALWAYS AN UNEXPECTED CALL. FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING THEY KNOW, IT’S REALLY IT IS REALLY FAST PACED, LIKE YOU CAN GET THE WORD LIKE, HEY, WE’RE READY TO GET DEPLOYED. IT COULD BE ON STANDBY. THEN YOU CAN FIND OUT, OH, WE’RE LEAVING TOMORROW. WE’RE LEAVING IN TWO DAYS. HE SAYS THIS TIME THE CALL FOR HIS FAMILY HITS A LITTLE BIT HARDER. WE SEE ALL THIS STUFF IS ON TV, AND THEN, HEY, I GOT A. I’M PART OF THAT, TOO. I GOTTA GET READY TO GO. HE’S LIKE, I WANT YOU TO GO. BUT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU’RE A PART OF THIS MILITARY LIFE, THEN YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. JOHNSON SAYS HIS MESSAGE TO FAMILIES LIKE THIS IS SIMPLE. HOLD ON TO YOUR LOVED ONES AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN. SAY YOU LOVE THEM AND STUFF LIKE THAT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN. THEY MAY COME HOME. THEY MAY NOT. NOW THIS ORDER DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FULL BRIGADE, WHICH INCLUDES OV
President Trump approves deployment of troops from 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, NBC News reports
Updated: 12:01 AM EDT Mar 25, 2026
President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg to the Middle East as the war in Iran continues, according to sources reported to NBC News.It comes during the United States’ ongoing interaction with Iran. It’s unclear when troops will be deployed, but they are on standby as it could be within hours. Fort Bragg states on its site that after an order is given, the 82nd Airborne Division rapidly deploys within 18 hours of notification.The 82nd Airborne Division said it “strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assaults and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests.”Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here”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 person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans,” as reported by the Associated Press. Troops with the 82nd Airborne were also deployed previously over the years to help with the Gulf War in 1990, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, according to Fort Bragg. WXII also caught up with a retired 82ndAirborne Division soldier who said, “Being in the 82nd division it’s a fast pace pretty much within 48 hours you’re pretty much out of there,” Marquis Johnson. Johnson said this comes with the territory but it’s always an unexpected call.”You can get the word like hey we’re about to get ready to get deployed it could be on standby then you could find out we’re leaving tomorrow we’re leaving in two days,” said Johnson.Additionally, he said this deployment call for his family hits a little bit harder.”We seeing all this stuff is on TV and then your partner tells you hey I’m a part of that too, I got to get ready and go and you’re like I don’t want you to go but if you’re a part of this military life then you already know what to expect.” said Johnson.However, Johnson said his message to families like his is simple.”Hold on to your loved ones as close as you can.” He added, “Say you love them and stuff like that because you never know what can happen, they may come home they may not,” said Johnson.Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.RELATED COVERAGE
FORT BRAGG, N.C. —
President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of more than 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg to the Middle East as the war in Iran continues, according to sources reported to NBC News.
It comes during the United States’ ongoing interaction with Iran. It’s unclear when troops will be deployed, but they are on standby as it could be within hours. Fort Bragg states on its site that after an order is given, the 82nd Airborne Division rapidly deploys within 18 hours of notification.
The 82nd Airborne Division said it “strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assaults and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests.”
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
“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 person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans,” as reported by the Associated Press.
Troops with the 82nd Airborne were also deployed previously over the years to help with the Gulf War in 1990, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, according to Fort Bragg.
WXII also caught up with a retired 82ndAirborne Division soldier who said, “Being in the 82nd division it’s a fast pace pretty much within 48 hours you’re pretty much out of there,” Marquis Johnson.
Johnson said this comes with the territory but it’s always an unexpected call.
“You can get the word like hey we’re about to get ready to get deployed it could be on standby then you could find out we’re leaving tomorrow we’re leaving in two days,” said Johnson.
Additionally, he said this deployment call for his family hits a little bit harder.
“We seeing all this stuff is on TV and then your partner tells you hey I’m a part of that too, I got to get ready and go and you’re like I don’t want you to go but if you’re a part of this military life then you already know what to expect.” said Johnson.
However, Johnson said his message to families like his is simple.
“Hold on to your loved ones as close as you can.” He added, “Say you love them and stuff like that because you never know what can happen, they may come home they may not,” said Johnson.
Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
RELATED COVERAGE