Another Ship Added To The Syria Equation
USS San Antonio has transited the Suez Canal. Aboard USS San Antonio are a reported three hundred Marines. I don’t see this as a positive development. So much for ‘no boots on the ground’. San Antonio lacks cruise missiles, and is said to be in the area to ‘help should help be needed’. If this is a limited strike, with no boot on the ground, then why do we need an amphibious ship present, with Marines aboard? If this is for rescue of downed pilots, that may lead to a much larger problem.
Arcturus Blog 
This truly makes no sense why put the ship USS San Antonio in harms way the ship doesn’t need to be in harms way?
I can think of a handful of reasons, but none of them are good.