[Ragtime Cowgirl]

AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Once they crossed the Kuwaiti border into Iraq, the Marine helicopters flew so low over the desert that their wake ruffled tents and scared livestock.

A goat herder saw the dual- rotor CH-46s approach from the south and gave a long, slow wave.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 are the first Marine aviation units to arrive at Al-Asad Air Base.

The sprawling former Iraqi air force base — about 110 miles west of Baghdad — is home to the Army’s 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, but will soon be the nerve center for the 3rd Marine Air Wing.

 

Squadron 261, nicknamed the “Raging Bulls,” have never been to Iraq, let alone on a real mission.

 

....About 25,000 Marines are streaming into western Iraq to take over security and rebuilding duties from the Army.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW)

 

                              

Godspeed, Marines!

 

 

[68skylark]

Good post. I'm a soldier and I wish these Marines all the best -- every one of them is in our prayers. Wish I could be in Iraq for this rotation.

[river rat]

Count me as an incorrigible old coot - but this does NOT sound like a deployment in line with Marine Corps history or training....

Marines weren't raised to be the Peace Corps..or neighborhood construction crews.....

From day one - they're trained to follow orders and destroy the enemy...
Oh oh.....it's that pesky "follow orders" that is getting them in trouble again.....

This does not feel right...
I hope they won't let their guard down or ignore inbred instincts to distrust anyone not wear Marine Corps web gear....

Semper Fi

[dalebert]

God bless them and keep them safe.

[Jim Noble]

Godspeed to all who fight for right and freedom.