Posted on 03/12/2003 12:57:43 PM PST by mhking
CAMP UDAIRI, Kuwait, March 11 -- Sheathed in bulletproof camouflage vests and carrying rifles, the men who hauled plastic footlockers off a giant CH-47 Chinook helicopter here today looked like any of the tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers practicing for a war with Iraq.
It was an officer's barked order that gave them away.
"Weapons of mass, check! Weapons of mass, check!" he cried.
With exercises like this one, the little-known 75th Exploitation Task Force is preparing for a crucial mission: flying into Iraq on helicopters close behind advancing allied troops to document suspected weapons of mass destruction those troops encounter. The unit's specialists will take samples and whisk them away for evaluation.
"The objective of this specific task force is to prove to the world what Saddam actually has," said Army Col. Richard McPhee, 47, the stocky, bullet-headed leader of the group.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
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