Shaffer
01-12-04, 02:07 PM
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) - About 5,000 Marines and sailors from Camp Lejeune have been told to prepare to return to Iraq, officials said Thursday.
Many troops from the base were sent to Iraq last year and fought in the war to overthrow dictator Saddam Hussein.
The troops will be sent in two rotations for seven months each. The first rotation is expected to be from March to September and the second will begin in September and continue until March 2005.
Troops will be from units in the 2nd Marine Division, the 2nd Force Service Support Group and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The Lejeune Marines will augment forces from the 1st Marine Division based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Many troops from the base were sent to Iraq last year and fought in the war to overthrow dictator Saddam Hussein.
The troops will be sent in two rotations for seven months each. The first rotation is expected to be from March to September and the second will begin in September and continue until March 2005.
Troops will be from units in the 2nd Marine Division, the 2nd Force Service Support Group and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The Lejeune Marines will augment forces from the 1st Marine Division based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.