( CNN ) -- U.S. Marines stationed in southern Europe have been put on alert as a precaution in advance of expected large demonstrations and potential unrest in Egypt this weekend , CNN has learned . About 200 combat capable Marines in Sigonella , Italy , and Moron , Spain , have been told to be ready to be airborne within 60 minutes of getting orders to deploy , according to two administration officials . The units have several V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft that would carry troops and infantry weapons to Egypt to protect the U.S. Embassy and American government personnel and citizens if violence broke out against Americans . The planned demonstrations are aimed against the Egyptian government . The officials both emphasized this is contingency planning in advance of the expected demonstrations to ensure American military assets , including rescue forces , can act if needed . In the event Americans had to be evacuated from Egypt and could not get to the airport due to the unrest , there are about 2,000 additional Marines on board three Navy warships in the Red Sea , officials said . A third official said the decision to keep the warship in the Red Sea was `` very precautionary . '' The United States expects Egyptian security forces will be able to protect American assets and personnel . No plans for personnel to leave have been announced , State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Friday . `` This is not Libya , '' said the third official , alluding to last year 's attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi . During that attack , the military was unable to muster resources fast enough to protect the mission . Four Americans , including the ambassador to Libya , died in the attack . Since then , after much criticism from Congress about the inability to respond , the Pentagon has been particularly sensitive about ensuring troops are within deployment distance of potential trouble spots in North Africa . The embassy had already planned to be closed Sunday and Monday because of the demonstrations , according to a notice on the embassy 's website . American citizens in Cairo have been advised to avoid areas where the demonstrations are taking place and `` limit their movements . ''
Large demonstrations are expected in Egypt this weekend . About 200 combat capable Marines in Italy and Spain are standing by . Comment: