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American Morning

U.S. Military Bases, Personnel Stand Ready

Aired September 20, 2001 - 11:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Here are some of the latest developments in America's new war. Police and FBI agents say they have captured a man wanted for questioning in connection with last week's terrorist attack. The fugitive, who is said to have links to associates of Osama bin Laden was caught outside Chicago last night.

Afghanistan's Grand Islamic Council today recommended that the ruling Taliban ask suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden to leave the country within a suitable time frame. Even if that happens, it's not likely to satisfy the Bush administration.

President Bush is preparing to brief the nation on the fight against terrorism. His address to Congress is set for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

And dozens of fighter jets and war planes have been deployed to support the U.S. anti-terrorist campaign, now being called Operation Infinite Justice. Sources say the F-15s, F-16s, B-1 and B-52 bombers are headed to bases in the Persian Gulf, although their ultimate destination is not being released.

In addition to air power, the U.S. is also getting its warships and troops into position. The USS Theodore Roosevelt left Norfolk, Virginia yesterday. U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is already in the Persian Gulf, and the USS Enterprise has been moved to the Arabian Sea.

The Army is also receiving orders to deploy. Army Secretary Thomas White tells CNN rangers and special operating forces will play a prominent role in any U.S. campaign, as they have in past campaigns. White says the deployment is the first step in a broader military plan that will unfold in the weeks ahead.

CNN is in position at some military bases across the country to bring you the latest on those preparations. Among our reports: Brian Nelson, who joins us from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with the Marines; Brian Cabell at the Army's Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and Jeff Flock from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri; plus Ed Lavandera at Barksdale Air Force base in Louisiana.

Let's start first with Brian.

BRIAN NELSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Paula. Well, actually I'm not at Fort Bragg right now. I'm at the port in Port Morehead -- I'm sorry, Morehead City in North Carolina; it's about an hour away from Fort Bragg.

And behind me is the USS Shreveport. That is one of three amphibious vessels that is about to ferry the 22 members -- 2,200 members of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune to the Mediterranean. Now, this morning, the 2,200 Marines packed their bags and put them on the buses and then said their final goodbyes to loved ones, girlfriends and wives.

Now, this -- the Marines are denying that they have a new mission. What they're saying is that this is a regularly scheduled mission to the Mediterranean, and they're stressing it is routine. However, this unit is also special-ops capable. But, again, the Marines are stressing this is not a Rambo unit; it is not the Green Beret or the SEALs. But it is the 911 unit for the Marines. That means it's a rapid deployment unit that can be sent to any hotspot anywhere.

So in all, 2,200 Marines on three amphibious ships about to set sail for the Mediterranean. Their mission, still set to be determined.

And now let's good to Brian Cabell, who's at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brian, it's been nine days now since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. For the last nine days the folks here at Fort Campbell have been expecting a phone call because frequently in the past several years, whenever there is a war these are among the first to go. But so far that call has not come.

In the meantime, thought, training goes on. In fact, we're at air assault school right now. Men behind me here -- men and women are the ones that have just passed the repelling course. They had to complete three repels successfully, one with a rucksack. Let's take a look at the tower over here. This is the tower they had to come down: 34 feet. They had to come down twice without packs on, once with a pack on. The gentlemen way back there, those are the ones who did not complete the course; they will get another chance.

Tomorrow they will take a 12-mile road march with a 45-pound rucksack on. These are not the elite units, I've got to tell you; these are regular troops. But these are skills they need if they are deployed overseas.

So once again, they have completed the repelling. They will repel from a helicopter later today. That's about 90 feet down. And then tomorrow they will graduate if they complete that 12-mile road march in less than three hours. In less than three hours, that's four miles an hour.

Now let's head over to Jeff Flock, who's at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri -- Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Brian, this is home to the Air Force's perhaps most high-profile asset and perhaps also its most capable asset. That is the B-2 bomber, better known to you, perhaps, as the stealth bomber. We've observed no stealths in the air at this point today. Just talked to a base spokesman a short time ago who said, in a word, they are ready here for whatever comes at them.

Now, here is the what the best thinking about use of the stealth might be if the target were to be, perhaps, Afghanistan. The special capabilities of the stealth -- that is the ability to penetrate enemy air defenses -- would not be, perhaps, needed. More conventional bombers may be deployed -- the ones that have now been forward- deployed over to bases in Europe.

However, if the target were to be, say, Iraq and a nation that had heavy air defenses, the stealth could very easily be used. Again, it's not being forward-deployed here from Whiteman, but they would fly out of Whiteman and go on what would be a 30-plus round-trip to the Middle East.

So that's what they're preparing for here. Nobody here, though, saying exactly what the next move will be. As we said, they are ready.

Now, on to my colleague Ed Lavandera who is at Barksdale in Louisiana -- Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeff, military officials here in Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana are being rather tight-lipped about what is happening here this morning. We've seen a lot of activity this morning on the runway here. And this is the home -- Barksdale Air Force Base, one of two places where B-52 bombers can be deployed from anywhere and sent across the world. There are about 60 B-52 bombers stationed here. We are being told that nine B-52 bombers have been deployed, and that 373 Air Force reservists have also been called up. Other than that, like I mentioned, the military here is being very tight-lipped about what is happening.

B-52s can carry a five-person crew. It's a $30 million aircraft that can carry 70,000 pounds worth of ammunition, including air- launched missiles and precision bombs. Of course, like I've mentioned, we've seen a little bit of activity here at Barksdale Air Force base this morning. But exactly what is happen and what kind of missions are being flown, folks here aren't elaborating very much.

I'm Ed Lavandera, reporting live from Barksdale Air Force Base. Paula, back to you in New York.

ZAHN: Thanks so much Ed. Wanted to thank the other two Brians, Brian Nelson, Brian Cabell and Jeff Flock for their reporting. You guys may not know this, but I think you're going to be in position there -- in there at your relative posts for some time as we try to determine if and when any of these troops will be deployed. Thank you gentlemen.

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