Marines in Iraq, 18 May 2003

[wrbones]

http://usinfo.state.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=03051801.elt&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml



Washington File


18 May 2003
Text: Coalition Forces Helping to Make Iraq More Safe and Secure
(May 18 news release from U.S. Central Command) (970)

Coalition forces are helping to develop "a safer and more secure
environment" in Iraq, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a
report on recent activity May 18.

As a result of coalition efforts, several non-governmental
organizations that were previously working only in northern Iraq have
been able to start operations in Mosul, according to CENTCOM.

Other developments in the country include the following:

-- The Office of Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA)
began $20 payments to civil service workers in Mosul. The 101st
Airborne Assault Division has secured 11 payment sites and one bank in
order to ensure unfettered payments for Mosul's civil work force.

-- In Karbala, Seventh Marine Regiment personnel facilitated the
delivery of fuel, and its sale at cost to the local distributor, which
effectively eliminated the gasoline black market. Marine Corps Civil
Affairs personnel also completed assessments on all three Karbala
hospitals, and are coordinating with non-governmental organizations on
procuring immediate and long-term oxygen supplies, medications, and
surgical supplies.

-- Fifth Marine Regiment Marines and sailors completed a two-day
training program for police recruits in Al Rumaythah and met with the
non-governmental organization GOAL to coordinate distribution of
medical supplies throughout the Al Muthanna governate. They also are
working on a 10-day repairs and improvement project for the Al Amaid
primary school.

-- Overnight electrical power was restored in the city of An
Nasiriyah. Marines of the 25th Marine Regiment are working with the
non-governmental organization International Medical Community (IMC) on
the distribution of 26 tons of food donated by the Romanian government
now stored in An Nasiriyah.

Following is the text of the CENTCOM news release:

(begin text)

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida
May 18, 2003

COALITION FORCES AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition forces continue to assist in developing
a safer and more secure environment in Iraq.

Among recent developments:

BAGHDAD

The Humanitarian Operations Center-Iraq, or "Iraqi Forum," held its
first open meeting for the Non-Governmental Organizations community at
the Convention Center in Baghdad. About 120 people attended this first
meeting.

The secure environment created by Coalition forces has enabled several
non-governmental organizations who were previously working only in
northern Iraq to start operations in Mosul. The UN has announced that
Mosul will be the "UN Centre Team" headquarters.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

The 2nd Marine Division obtained 8,000 blackboards, 120 school desks
and building materials from a former regime warehouse to support
schools throughout their zone of operations.

MOSUL

101st Airborne Assault Division BG Freakley attended an oil meeting
with civilian leaders in Mosul yesterday to discuss methods to improve
food distribution and oil supplies.

The Office of Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) began
$20 payments today to civil service workers. Civil workers from the
Ministries of Internal Affairs, Finance, and Higher Education received
payments totaling $410,860.00

101st Airborne Assault Division secured 11 payment sites and one bank
today in order to ensure the unfettered payment of Mosul's civil work
force. All 40 gas stations in Mosul will open tomorrow.

AL HILLAH

4th Marine Regiment Civil Affairs officials coordinated the ORHA
stipend payment to the city's civil workers.

KARBALA

Third Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment personnel met with Governance
Support Team, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and the local tribal, political,
and religious leaders yesterday. They discussed critical security
issues that will facilitate the decommissioning of the Karbala
Protection Force, the professionalism of the Karbala Police Department
(KPD), and the future stability of the region.

Seventh Marine Regiment personnel facilitated the delivery of fuel,
and its sale at cost to the local distributor. This effectively
eliminated the gasoline black market.

Marine Corps Civil Affairs personnel completed assessments on all
three Karbala hospitals, and is coordinating with non-governmental
organizations for assistance with procuring immediate and long-term
oxygen supplies, medications, and medical surgical supplies. They also
met with the World Food Program to coordinate the distribution of
foodstuffs.

AS SAMAWAH

Fifth Marine Regiment Marines and sailors completed a two-day training
program for police trainees in Ar Rumaythah and met with the
non-governmental organization GOAL to coordinate distribution of
medical supplies throughout the Al Muthanna governate. They also are
working on a 10-day repairs and improvement project for the Al Amaid
primary school.

AD DIWANIYAH

Civil Affairs personnel with the 5th Marine Regiment coordinated the
payment of the ORHA stipend to civil workers in Afak. The city
received four benzene gasoline tankers from Basra with nine more
expected to arrive in the near future.

AN NAJAF

Seventh Marine Regiment Marines are facilitating an effort to provide
election guidance to assist local officials and recently met with all
political leaders and representatives who will potentially submit
nominations for the mayoral election. They received 31 diesel tankers
which will help avert a possible fuel shortage at the electric power
plant. They also transferred a sum of three billion dinars to
replenish the city banks and facilitated the arrival of a Kuwaiti food
convoy and delivered 12 truckloads of food and medical supplies.

AL KUT

The 23rd Marine Regiment began coordination to develop customs
inspectors and border patrols in vicinity of the Iraq/Iran border.
They received 8 liquid petroleum gas tankers to help keep up with
local weekly requirements and are working with authorities in Baghdad
and An Nasiriyah to provide adequate, reliable electrical power
through the repair of three of the four main power lines.

AN NASARIYAH

Overnight electrical power has been restored in the city. Marines of
the 25th Marine Regiment are working with the non-governmental
organization International Medical Community (IMC) on the distribution
of 26 tons of food donated by the Romanian government now stored in An
Nasiriyah.

[wrbones]

http://newsobserver.com/nc24hour/ncnews/story/2545540p-2363423c.html



Saturday, May 17, 2003 8:45PM EDT

About 100 Marines return to Camp Lejeune from Middle East


The Associated Press

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) - About 100 Marines returned to Camp Lejeune on Saturday after serving in the Middle East since December to help fight the war against Iraq.
The Marines are members of the 2nd Force Service Support Group at Lejeune.
Cpl. Carlos Earedes, 20, Providence, R.I., was among those who welcomed the troops home.

Earedes is a member of the support group, but had to return to Lejeune on May 3 after injured his leg in an accident in Kuwait.

He waiting on the third story of a barracks, a level above a banner that read, "Welcome home. Job well done"

"I've been waiting for this moment since I got home," Earedes said. "It's always good to leave together and come back together, but I couldn't do that because of my injury so I had to leave my fellow Marines over there. Now I'm just glad to get my buddies back and get them back safe."

The Marines flew into nearby Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station and were taken by bus to Lejeune, where they arrived about 7:15 p.m.

About 200 Marines from the same unit returned to Lejeune on Friday.

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http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/5887601.htm









--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted on Sun, May. 18, 2003

First Iraq combat Marines return home
BRUCE HARING
Associated Press

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The first of 1,500 Marines expected to return this week from combat missions in Iraq are now home, greeted by friends, family and new personal challenges now that the fighting is over.

A group of 69 soldiers were the first to make the 40-hour trek, which involved flying from Kuwait to Germany, then on to Delaware before arriving at March Air Force Base in Riverside County.

They were welcomed home Saturday night by about 200 family and friends after enduring the final leg of their journey: a two and a half hour bus ride that dropped them off at a fitness center at this military base which is home to some 20,000 Marines and their families. Most had been deployed since January.

About 300 other Marines also were greeted by relatives and friends as they arrived at the Camp Pendleton Marine base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, both in San Diego County.

"You don't know how good you got it until you roll through Riverside," said Jeremy Shorten, 23, a logistics specialist who embraced his wife, Sheri, 27, as he stepped off the bus.

Two Marines were returned to greet newborn babies for the first time. Eight Marines from the base were killed in combat.

Families were told that readjustment after combat will be a gradual process. Marines should be allowed to unwind at their own pace, with no special dinners or other taxing events, according to Kim Greeley, 25, part of the Key Volunteer Group that serves as a liaison between families and deployed personnel.

"The next few days, guys will be lost and overwhelmed," Greeley said. "They've seen combat, and they're changed. Plus, their wives have been single parents around the clock since they've left. It's time for everyone to readjust and ease back into life.

Between 5,000-6,000 Marines were sent from Twentynine Palms, a 50-year old base that has welcomed returned Marines since the Korean War. The entire deployment of 5,000-6,000 Marines sent to Iraq will gradually return by August, officials said.

Mike Kaniuk 25, a supply specialist survived a firefight after the tank in which he was riding struck a mine while entering Baghdad. He said he was looking forward to "eating American food, seeing American people, being back in America."

The reception given to the troops by the Iraqi people most surprised Kaniuk who was greeted at the base by his mom and sister.

"It was amazing, everywhere we went, they were so happy to see us, everyone was smiling, waving," he said.

The first Marines to return to the base will be responsible for setting up phones and utilities and getting supplies out of storage. But some won't have too long to relax. A battalion will be sent to Okinawa in about eight weeks for a six-month stint, part of the regular rotation from Twentynine Palms, officials said.

Most returning Marines have simple needs, according to volunteer liaison Greeley.

"They want a beer and bed, in that order," she said.

[wrbones]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0518azroundup18.html












Arizona news briefs
May. 18, 2003 12:00 AM





Families in Yuma celebrate

as Marines return to base


YUMA - U.S. Marines returning from Iraq and their families enjoyed a joyous homecoming as Harrier jets treated a festive crowd to some flyovers.

First Lt. Kevin Hyde said 381 Marines returned to the Air Station Yuma on Friday night and Saturday after a four- to five-month deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Marines are part of an attack squadron and included about 30 pilots, with the remainder support personnel.

"The families are absolutely ecstatic," Hyde said, with the squadron suffering no casualties during a deployment that began in January. He said two Marines from other units assigned to the base were killed in the operation.

More Marines who participated in the operation will return to Yuma in three or four months.