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[...We will fight our ruling elites' battles, in air, sea, space and land.] Stars And Stripes Saturday, April�27, 2002 Iwakuni Marines setting up to aid mission in Uzbekistan Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Saturday, April 27, 2002 STRONGHOLD FREEDOM, Uzbekistan � U.S. Marines from Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, Japan, are deployed here to establish air traffic control services and provide base protection for U.S. and coalition aircraft. About 230 Marines from two Marine Air Control Squadrons � one based in Iwakuni and the other from Cherry Point, N.C. � are preparing for operations to begin within the next few weeks, a Marine spokesman in Uzebekistan told Stars and Stripes. Further details on the Iwakuni unit were unavailable. Iwakuni public affairs spokesman Gunnery Sgt. John Olmstead would not provide details Wednesday about the squadron in Uzbekistan, referring all questions to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa. A 3rd MEF spokeswoman, 2nd Lt. Amy E. Malugani, referred questions to the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla. A spokesman from the U.S. Central also refused to provide details on the deployment. Marines at Stronghold Freedom said the mission is unique. "It's two squadrons working under the same hat," Marine Lt. Col. Laura Muhlenberg said. "It's the first time we've executed a mission together." The Marines plan to stay about six months, Muhlenberg said. Some of the Marines had little time to prepare for Uzbekistan, said Marine Maj. George Williams, because they pulled security duty at the Winter Olympics near Salt Lake City, setting up radar. "We went through an amazing amount of work to get here in a short time," he said. The former Soviet air base had little to offer the Marines, who are waiting on Army engineers to improve base facilities. "Normally, we're on the ground and operating within a couple days," Muhlenberg said. "It's being phased in. Over the next few weeks, we will progressively provide more services." Last weekend, Cpl. Mark Kopanski, 20, of Coatsville, Pa., and Lance Cpl. Frank Candiloro, 21, of Readsboro, Vt., strung cables along an access road to the flight line. "We're running fiber optic wire to the Army switch," Kopanski said. "It's so the flight line can communicate with the base camp." Part of the Marine mission also is to set up anti-terror force protection. U.S. Special Forces are setting up a weapons range for Marines to familiarize themselves with heavy machine guns. Marine mentality dictates that all troops, regardless of their job specialty, are basic infantrymen. Still, Lance Cpl. Scott Duncan, 20, from Raleigh, N.C., was glad to train with the Green Berets before taking his guard post. "We all know to stand post," Duncan said. "This is an opportunity to build up experience. I see it as an opportunity." Greg Tyler contributed to this report. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness http://health.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
