U.S. forces, including paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, are on standby to support “Project Freedom,” a mission to safely guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran. The division is using artificial intelligence to support the initiative.
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82nd Airborne Division supporting 'Project Freedom' using AI
By WRAL Staff
Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are ready to respond and support “Project Freedom,” Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said Tuesday at a Pentagon briefing.
“Project Freedom” is an effort announced by President Donald Trump that the U.S. will help guide ships from countries not involved in the war with Iran safely out of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump announced Tuesday he would pause “Project Freedom” after the effort began Monday.
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On Truth Social, Trump cited progress on a possible peace deal with Iran as part of the reasoning for the pause.
Trump wrote, "Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed."
Paratroopers are used for “any mission in any environment, constantly training and ready to jump from Air Force aircraft into ground combat and seize key terrain,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of War.
"They are going all the way every day, and whenever the nation calls on them, they are there to answer the call,” Caine said of the paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division. “We are grateful for their service and their leadership.”
Caine said the division is used for more than just forcible entries. The division uses next-generation, artificial intelligence-enabled tactical networks to augment intelligence and operations, and the division seamlessly synchronizes these effects. It is now doing so in support of Project Freedom.
U.S. military leaders said a ceasefire remains in effect a day after Iran was blamed for new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and against the United Arab Emirates. The key American ally later said it came under Iranian drone and missile attack again on Tuesday.
The U.S. military said two commercial vessels safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, with hundreds more bottled up in the Persian Gulf.
"We know the Iranians are embarrassed by this fact," U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday. "They said they control the strait. They do not."
Iran fired missiles at ships being protected during the operation, and Trump said U.S. forces destroyed several Iranian small boats for trying to interfere.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital channel for trade in the Middle East.
The Iran war has caused oil and gas prices to skyrocket in recent weeks.
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