American 1st ID sets up new base near Iraqi border in Turkey

Stars and Stripes ^ | March 8, 2003 | Jon R. Anderson

[Dog Gone]

Encouraging sign.

[blam]

There's no time left to unload the thirty ships milling off the coast of Turkey. Looks like we'll go without them. It also looks like we'll fly in some M1 tanks into Northern Iraq on C-17's, one tank at a time.

[Pern]

Best wishes to the Big Red One!

[Dog Gone]

It's hard to imagine a new vote in the Turkey parliament before next weekend. At best, our equipment will unload in Turkey and move into Northern Iraq either late during the assault on Baghdad, or merely as peacekeeping forces in Northern Iraq after the war is over.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[archy]

It also looks like we'll fly in some M1 tanks into Northern Iraq on C17's, one tank at a time.

Or, if a large enough airstrip is available, on C5 Galaxies, which can carry two M1A2 Abrams tanks, half of one of a tank company's platoons.

I expect that shortly, that new front-line base at Mardin will be considered a *rear area* one.

-archy-/-

[blam]

"Or, if a large enough airstrip is available, on C5 Galaxies, which can carry two M1A2 Abrams tanks, half of one of a tank company's platoons."

It's my understanding that only the C-17 can carry M1 Abrams tanks and then only one at a time. They can land on short, rough runways though.

[blam]

"At best, our equipment will unload in Turkey and move into Northern Iraq either late during the assault on Baghdad, or merely as peacekeeping forces in Northern Iraq after the war is over."

While they're loaded, just send them to South Korea.

[afraidfortherepublic]

At best, our equipment will unload in Turkey and move into Northern Iraq either late during the assault on Baghdad, or merely as peacekeeping forces in Northern Iraq after the war is over.

When our troops started moving off the docks and through Turkey, there were TV shots of young Turks teens applauding the troop movement, tanks, etc. There was no explanation, but the teens seemed to be pleased that our troops were there. They certainly weren't throwing rocks.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I overheard some men in a restaurant here talking about ships that have just left CA -- flight decks that are 4 1/2 acres!

[a_Turk]

Here's a Kurdish citizen of Turkey, a veteran of the Turkish Armed Forces. Thought you might enjoy the picture :^D


A Kurdish man wearing a medal for fighting in the Korea war in 1953 alongside U.S. units, sits with other men as they drink tea and enjoy a sunny Saturday backdropped by wooden swings in the town of Cizre, south-eastern Turkey, Saturday March 8, 2003.

[a_Turk]

>>They certainly weren't throwing rocks.

Our enemies are among your ranks and are taking full advantage of the situation. Anyone who tells you that the Turks are not your allies, is in fact our enemy, or has been taken advantage of by our enemies...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/829520/posts

[Dog Gone]

That's great!

[Snickersnee]

My daughter Alexis (combat medic, C Co., 201 Fwd Spt Bn) will no doubt pass thru there. Meanwhile, my daughter Heather (ULLS-G clerk, 1245th Trk Co) will be driving north from Kuwait. Look out, Soddom!!! When they're finished opening a can on you, it will be off to Gitmo, to be guarded by my son Clayton, (11C, 2/116 Inf.) Let's Roll!

[a_Turk]

Proud parent of some tough kids huh? You should be :))

I'll post these picture to show you the kind of people we, who may receive one of them, are. Here are some tough Turkish police girls and boys:



Here's a picture of one of our female medics:


I pray that your children all come home safe and sound.

[Ben Hecks]

" It's my understanding that only the C-17 can carry M1 Abrams tanks and then only one at a time. They can land on short, rough runways though."

You may be thinking of the C-141 or the even smaller C-130, neither of which can transport the M1 Abram. The C-5 has a 144 ft. long cargo deck compared to 88 for the C-17 and can carry 270,000 lbs.....or two Abrams. The gross weight of a loaded C-5 (in the neighborhood of 900,000 lbs) requires a suitable runway/parking ramp - the USAF surveys and approves all airports prior to using them for C-5 operations.

[PoisedWoman]

Alexis, Heather, and Clayton have my admiration, thanks and prayers. You too for raising such a fine family of patriots.

[PoisedWoman]

What an amazing proud strong face. Bless him and his medal!

[First_Salute]

Thanks.