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CNN Live Saturday
U.S. Soldiers Build Up Defenses Against Iraqi Scuds
Aired March 08, 2003 - 17:40 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.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: By anyone's measure, the U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf is impressive. Still, U.S. soldiers have reason to fear an Iraqi attack from Scud missiles. CNN's Alex Quade has a look at a secret defense buried deep in the desert.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX QUADE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's into the bunkers for troops at this secret air base near Iraq at the first threat of chemical or biological attack.
CAPT. JOHN SHEETS, PAO, U.S. AIR FORCE: So if you were expecting incoming fire or Scuds, we're prepared for that. Siren sounds over a giant voice, and basically everyone takes cover in a bunker and starts donning their gas mask and chemical equipment.
QUADE (on camera): What does it feel like being this close to the Iraqi border?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a little on the nerve-racking side, being this close and knowing that he has capabilities to employ certain things that we don't want him to employ. The chemical, biological threat is very much weighing on everybody's mind out here.
QUADE (voice-over): There are bunkers near work areas, bunkers near living areas, bunkers near recreation areas. The bunkers are made of cement, fortified by sandbags. Lots of sandbags. There seems to be no end to the amount of sandbags needed.
(on camera): Do you feel ready if there is a chemical or biological threat? Do you feel ready here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. We've all been trained. We've all got the right equipment. The Air Force has prepared us in just about every manner that we need to be ready for, so we have every confidence we're ready for anything he throws at us.
QUADE (voice-over): Plus, inside the bunkers, there is always room for one more.
SHEETS: Bunkers are crowded just by their nature. You're not allowed to turn anyone away. Just basically you pile in and fill up the space.
QUADE: Meanwhile, there are more sandbags to fill. With the U.S. Air Force near Iraq, Alex Quade, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 8, 2003 - 17:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: By anyone's measure, the U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf is impressive. Still, U.S. soldiers have reason to fear an Iraqi attack from Scud missiles. CNN's Alex Quade has a look at a secret defense buried deep in the desert.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX QUADE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's into the bunkers for troops at this secret air base near Iraq at the first threat of chemical or biological attack.
CAPT. JOHN SHEETS, PAO, U.S. AIR FORCE: So if you were expecting incoming fire or Scuds, we're prepared for that. Siren sounds over a giant voice, and basically everyone takes cover in a bunker and starts donning their gas mask and chemical equipment.
QUADE (on camera): What does it feel like being this close to the Iraqi border?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a little on the nerve-racking side, being this close and knowing that he has capabilities to employ certain things that we don't want him to employ. The chemical, biological threat is very much weighing on everybody's mind out here.
QUADE (voice-over): There are bunkers near work areas, bunkers near living areas, bunkers near recreation areas. The bunkers are made of cement, fortified by sandbags. Lots of sandbags. There seems to be no end to the amount of sandbags needed.
(on camera): Do you feel ready if there is a chemical or biological threat? Do you feel ready here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. We've all been trained. We've all got the right equipment. The Air Force has prepared us in just about every manner that we need to be ready for, so we have every confidence we're ready for anything he throws at us.
QUADE (voice-over): Plus, inside the bunkers, there is always room for one more.
SHEETS: Bunkers are crowded just by their nature. You're not allowed to turn anyone away. Just basically you pile in and fill up the space.
QUADE: Meanwhile, there are more sandbags to fill. With the U.S. Air Force near Iraq, Alex Quade, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
