TROOPS AT SOUTHLAND BASES MOBILIZE FOR MIDEAST

Five Southern California bass are mobilizing troops and equipment for a coordinated deployment to the Persian Gulf. The forces are part of the 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, a rapid-deployment force that combines air, land, naval and amphibious units. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Marines from El Toro and Tustin are reportedly committed to the Middle East deployment, known as Operation Desert Shield.

TUSTIN MARINE CORPS HELICOPTER STATION 4,300 military personnel About 100 CH-53D Sea Stallions and CH-53E Super Stallions About 100 CH-46 Sea Knights NORTON AIR FORCE BASE One of two military airlift command bases in California 5,000 military personnel, 3,000 civilians 48 C-141 Lockheed Starlifter transport aircraft slated for closure by 1994 EL TORO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION 7,700 military personnel About 50 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets About 12 A-6E Intruder fighter-bombers About 12 DC-130 tankers, the corps’ largest transport airplane, capable of carrying 120-150 troops and used for aerial refueling TWENTYNINE PALMS MARINE AIR-GROUND COMBAT CENTER Headquarters for the 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade 2,750 military personnel Tanks, amphibious vehicles and light armored vehicles are stationed there CAMP PENDLETON MARINE CORPS BASE 36,000 personnel UH-1 Huey helicopters AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships OV-10 Broncos armed reconnaissance aircraft