[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!

 

 

[NormsRevenge]

Salute and Good Flying to our newly arrived Marines from an old 1st MAW Marine.

[MEG33]

Amen.God be with them.

[McGavin999]

That's a tough area, and they've got a hard job to do. They're going to be taking care of the entire western Iraq including the border area with Syria.

I wish them good luck and God's protection.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is just an awesome picture.

From half a world away we put that kind of a force
in the desert where only a camel could be happy!

[gonzo]

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

May God bless our Marines..............FRegards

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists and the democrats are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[windchime]

Bump!