military

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Marines trained in Okinawa to be ready for Iraq

The U.S. Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa reportedly conducted intelligence practices at the urban warfare training complex in Camp Hansen to prepare their members for operations in Iraq.

The newspaper "Okinawa Marine" (electronic edition) on November 29 reported that more than 25 members with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, "practiced security patrols, interrogation techniques, and intelligence gathering" on November 19-22.

During the training, the southern sector of the urban warfare training complex called "Combat Town" represented Al Asad and the northern sector represented Fallujah.

The article said that some of the battalion members "simulated insurgents and Iraqi civilians dressed in traditional Middle Eastern garb" in order to "give a more realistic aspect to the training."

Marine Corps units stationed in Okinawa have been dispatched to Iraq one after another since last year. The "Okinawa Marine" on October 26 reported that the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion returned to Okinawa's Camp Schwab from Iraq on October 18.
- Akahata, December 26, 2005