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The force's objective is to seal possible Taliban and al-Qaida escape routes, and eventually destroy them.
©Associated Press
November 28, 2001
SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN -- An American flag flew over an Afghan airstrip Tuesday as more U.S. Marines landed in their desert foothold near the Taliban's last bastion.
With the size of the force building, the Marines spent much of Tuesday securing their base. Humvees loaded with antitank weapons and heavy machine guns rolled out on patrol. In the sands and dunes around the compound, Marines could be seen in the distance at their outposts, and mortar rounds could be heard as troops fired rounds to check the range of potential targets.
In Tampa, the commander of the U.S. war effort, Gen. Tommy Franks, said that by the time the deployment is complete, between 800 and 1,100 Marines will be at the base, located 70-80 miles from Kandahar, the last city held by the Taliban.
The military would not say Tuesday how many troops had been brought in so far from six ships in the northern Arabian Sea and elsewhere to the desert base, which was once a wealthy Arab's landing strip for hunting excursions.
Officials in Washington said the Marines -- who began arriving Sunday -- would help prevent the escape of Afghanistan's Taliban militia and members of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network holed up in Kandahar, to the east.
The officials in Washington added the Marines also will make quick strikes when they can and help identify targets for U.S. bombing.
Franks said the "forward operating base" was intended "to give us a capability to be an awfully lot closer to the core objectives we seek" -- destruction of the Taliban and al-Qaida.
While the troops' presence "does in fact provide pressure" against Kandahar, they were not deployed for an assault on the city, Franks said.
The Associated Press was allowed to deploy with the troops on the condition that it did not reveal classified information, troop strengths, mission plans and other secret information.
On Tuesday, Marines were setting up command centers, accommodation and other facilities. Buildings were marked "medical" or "command."
The small airport includes a packed sand landing strip and a complex of modern buildings. The Marines raised an American flag at the center of the compound.
Capt. Stewart Upton, public affairs officer for the Marine task force in Afghanistan, stressed that the mission is not to invade or occupy. "We are here to rid the people of Afghanistan of the terrorists and to provide them with the peaceful way of life," he said.
Capt. John Barranco, a 30-year-old helicopter pilot from Boston who was part of the task force, said that after the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States, he was proud to be part of the mission.
"A family friend was in the World Trade Center, and the last I heard, when I was able to reach home, was still in critical condition. I feel I have a personal stake in this. I feel all Americans have a personal stake in this."