US Mobilizes Civilian Aircraft To Transport Troops
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The US Defense Department Saturday
invoked authority to use civilian planes for transporting troops and
military hardware to the Gulf area.
"This measure is necessary due to increased
operations associated with the buildup of US forces in the Persian Gulf
region," the Pentagon said in a statement.
The authority covers 22 US airlines and their 78
commercial aircraft -- 47 passenger aircraft and 31 wide-body cargo
aircraft,but the US Transportation Command, for the time being, will
activate only the 47 passenger aircraft, according to the statement.
A US Transportation Command spokesman said the
airlines all volunteered to participate in the contractual arrangement
and are being paid for the use of their aircraft.
During the 1991 Gulf War, the Pentagon invoked the
similar authority to ferry troops and military equipment abroad.
The number of US troops in the region now stands at
about 113,000, and is expected to reach about 150,000 by Feb. 15, US
defenseofficials said. Enditem
OTHER HEADLINES
Patriot
Act II DOMESTIC
SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2003: Easy to read text format. See
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US
Mobilizes Civilian Aircraft To Transport Troops: The US
Defense Department Saturday invoked authority to use civilian planes for
transporting troops and military hardware to the Gulf area.
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"If we're a humble nation, but strong, they'll welcome us"
