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thedrifter
01-10-07, 06:33 AM
NC bases will have thousands of Marines, soldiers in Iraq
1/9/2007 5:15:06 PM
By: Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- On the eve of an expected announcement from President Bush that more combat power will be sent into Iraq to quell violence, North Carolina bases already are contributing thousands of troops to the region.

A senior defense official says in Washington that up to 20,000 troops will be put on alert before month's end under the plan, to be announced Wednesday.

Already poised to enter Iraq if ordered is the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg. The brigade of 3500 paratroopers was sent on short notice to Kuwait and arrived last week.

By March, about more than 17,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune are expected to be in Iraq as well. They will be joined by about 10,000 Marines from other U.S. bases under the command of a Lejeune general.

North Carolina-based troops already are in Iraq, as well. About 3500 paratroopers from the 82nd's 3rd Brigade Combat Team are in Iraq along with two Lejeune battalion of at least 900 Marines each.

Ellie