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American forces 'ready to rock'
©Associated Press, McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Gung ho and ready to fight, American forces packed up for a war on terrorism that marched into high gear at bases all over the country. Troops dressed in desert fatigues waved and gave thumbs-up signs to reporters as they boarded planes at McGuire Air Force Base. They weren't going to find out their destination until they were airborne, but that didn't faze them. "They're standing tall and ready to rock," said Col. Kip Self, a commander with the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command at McGuire. "Morale is sky-high." Air Force bases in at least nine states have been called up for the deployment set in motion after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Air Force has been ordered to dispatch more than 100 fighter jets, B-1 and B-52 bombers and tankers to the Persian Gulf. The Pentagon also said 5,131 members of the Air Force National Guard and Air Force Reserve have been ordered to active duty. Air refueling tankers from MacDill Air Force Base are being deployed. Capt. Darren Berry, a public affairs officer at MacDill, said for security reasons he could not disclose how many of the 12 KC-135s are being deployed, where they are going or when. "We'll just say the deployment is well under way," Berry said. Deployment orders were received at Patrick Air Force Base at Cape Canaveral by the 45th Civil Engineering Squadron, 45th Security Force Squadron and 45th Logistics Group. No information was released on details of their deployment. They will join hundreds of other Florida-based military personnel who have been deployed or activated this week. Two squadrons from Jacksonville Naval Air Station deployed earlier this week aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt bound for the Middle East. About 400 of Florida's 929 Coast Guard reservists have been called up and sent to New York and Boston to handle port security and marine safety. Capt. J. Daniel Cooper of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., said Friday that the 2nd Bomb Wing -- regular service -- and the 917th Wing -- reservists -- have received deployment orders. He would not say how many people or planes would be sent, or to what locations. With 63 B-52s, Barksdale has the nation's largest fleet. At Camp LeJeune, N.C., more than 2,000 Marines shipped out for a long-planned tour of the Mediterranean that could turn into a mission against terrorists. "If Marines are called upon in the Mediterranean, we would be the first to go," said Col. Andrew Frick, commander of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "We are the point on the spear." The Marines said goodbye to loved ones, then loaded bulging duffel bags, helmets and rifles onto buses and helicopters for a trip to the docks. Among them was Staff Sgt. Reuben Long of Danville, Iowa, who said goodbye to his 16-month-old daughter, Madison, outside a barracks. "I love you," he whispered repeatedly, kissing the baby's face as his wife, Heather, watched. Then he grabbed his M-16 rifle and pack and jumped aboard a bus. Ellsworth Air Force Base in western South Dakota received deployment orders Thursday to deploy B-1 bombers, a base spokeswoman said. Ellsworth already has 325 airmen in Saudi Arabia who are the lead unit for the 8th Air Expeditionary Wing. It replaced another unit in Southwest Asia at the end of August. Air refueling tankers took off from Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Wash., and deployment orders went to North Dakota's two air bases, Minot and Grand Forks. Fighter jets and 100 members of the Air National Guard were called up at Buckley Air Force Base outside Denver. At Fort Campbell, Ky., 10 days of air-assault training wrapped up Friday for close to 100 soldiers of the Army's 101st Airborne, which can be dispatched anywhere in the world in about 36 hours. In Beaufort, S.C., members of the Marine Corps Air Station began flying out, headed for the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Mediterranean. Other personnel moved out earlier in the week. "The shock of last week is starting to wear off," said Capt. Eric Dent, a base spokesman. "Everybody's leaning forward in anticipation of what can be done to help."
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
