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American Morning
Reporting with Army 5th Corps
Aired March 20, 2003 - 09:49 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Following up on these Iraqi missiles fired in Kuwait earlier today, we are told that at least one Patriot missile battery did respond and knock one of these missiles out of the sky. But for a much clearer idea as to what's happening with the patriots, Lisa Rose Weaver is imbedded with the Army 5th Corps. She is with the unit that has provided some of these Patriot defense missiles, and Lisa is with us right now by telephone.
What can you tell us this point about what you're seeing and hearing from the U.S. Army?
LISA ROSE WEAVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, where I am, I'm with the Echo battery of the 52nd air defense artillery brigade. Earlier today, I did not see or hear the SCUD missile and patriot intercept activity that occurred a few hours ago.
However, the fact that it did happen meant that we here at the -- at Echo battery had to go into what is called mock level two. We're wearing part of our chemical suits. That means we are wearing the trousers, the long sleeved tunic tops, as well as boots. Everyone here is carrying their gas masks, as they always do, with or without the suit, carrying the gas masks at the hip, ready to get it on in the event that chemical or biological contaminants are found in the atmosphere. That has not happened today where we are. But obviously, everybody on alert for that possibility.
Now earlier, before that activity, the Patriot missiles here were positioned into place. Even before they lock on target, Bill, they have to be positioned in such a way, Bill, so they are ready to respond as quickly as possible. There is a process of orientation with satellite information so that they are then able to track incoming SCUDs or other missiles as they may come.
You may now be seeing video of some screens inside a small trailer. That is where you would see information about an incoming SCUD if they were indeed incoming. So fortunately, nothing like that has happened exactly where I am, but again, everyone here on alert -- Bill.
HEMMER: Lisa Rose Weaver, imbedded with U.S. Army 5th Corps, watching the Patriot battery deployed here in Kuwait.
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 20, 2003 - 09:49 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Following up on these Iraqi missiles fired in Kuwait earlier today, we are told that at least one Patriot missile battery did respond and knock one of these missiles out of the sky. But for a much clearer idea as to what's happening with the patriots, Lisa Rose Weaver is imbedded with the Army 5th Corps. She is with the unit that has provided some of these Patriot defense missiles, and Lisa is with us right now by telephone.
What can you tell us this point about what you're seeing and hearing from the U.S. Army?
LISA ROSE WEAVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, where I am, I'm with the Echo battery of the 52nd air defense artillery brigade. Earlier today, I did not see or hear the SCUD missile and patriot intercept activity that occurred a few hours ago.
However, the fact that it did happen meant that we here at the -- at Echo battery had to go into what is called mock level two. We're wearing part of our chemical suits. That means we are wearing the trousers, the long sleeved tunic tops, as well as boots. Everyone here is carrying their gas masks, as they always do, with or without the suit, carrying the gas masks at the hip, ready to get it on in the event that chemical or biological contaminants are found in the atmosphere. That has not happened today where we are. But obviously, everybody on alert for that possibility.
Now earlier, before that activity, the Patriot missiles here were positioned into place. Even before they lock on target, Bill, they have to be positioned in such a way, Bill, so they are ready to respond as quickly as possible. There is a process of orientation with satellite information so that they are then able to track incoming SCUDs or other missiles as they may come.
You may now be seeing video of some screens inside a small trailer. That is where you would see information about an incoming SCUD if they were indeed incoming. So fortunately, nothing like that has happened exactly where I am, but again, everyone here on alert -- Bill.
HEMMER: Lisa Rose Weaver, imbedded with U.S. Army 5th Corps, watching the Patriot battery deployed here in Kuwait.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
