THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 14, 1996 TAG: 9610130117
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: DOHA, QATAR LENGTH: 20 lines
About 700 U.S. Marines and sailors have begun military exercises in the tiny Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
The maneuvers, which began Saturday, involve unloading equipment from the noncombat supply ship Franklin Phillips. They are designed to improve U.S. military readiness and American relations with Qatar.
Most of the Marines participating in the exercise arrived from Camp Pendleton, Calif., the Marine Corps said. Some 200 Qatari coast guard and navy forces are helping with security and logistics.
The joint force will practice rapidly unloading tanks, trucks, artillery, ammunition and other equipment to sustain a 17,500-strong force for 30 days of combat. by CNB