Shaffer
01-22-04, 07:06 AM
YUMA, Ariz. ---- Stuffing this dusty city with simulated suicide bombers, insurgents and civilian crowds, hundreds of Marines launched what could be their last major training exercise before they return to Iraq.
Commanders said the troops, including forces from Camp Pendleton and Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, must learn to cope with tactics that have killed hundreds of U.S. soldiers during the invasion and occupation of the Persian Gulf nation.
"The cities in the area these folks are headed to ... are the most critical areas to the mission's success," Maj. Gen. James Amos, commander of the Miramar-based 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said Tuesday before the maneuvers began. "They're also the most dangerous."
As many as 25,000 Marines, most from Camp Pendleton and other Southern California bases, are scheduled to begin deploying to Iraq next month.
Planned and run by the Yuma-based Marine Aircraft Weapons and Tactics command, the training is set to continue through Saturday. Marines are receiving similar training at Twentynine Palms and outside March Air Force Base in Riverside.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/01/22/news/top_stories/1_21_0422_40_58.txt
Commanders said the troops, including forces from Camp Pendleton and Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, must learn to cope with tactics that have killed hundreds of U.S. soldiers during the invasion and occupation of the Persian Gulf nation.
"The cities in the area these folks are headed to ... are the most critical areas to the mission's success," Maj. Gen. James Amos, commander of the Miramar-based 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said Tuesday before the maneuvers began. "They're also the most dangerous."
As many as 25,000 Marines, most from Camp Pendleton and other Southern California bases, are scheduled to begin deploying to Iraq next month.
Planned and run by the Yuma-based Marine Aircraft Weapons and Tactics command, the training is set to continue through Saturday. Marines are receiving similar training at Twentynine Palms and outside March Air Force Base in Riverside.
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/01/22/news/top_stories/1_21_0422_40_58.txt