U.S. Marines Storm Kuwait for Joint Drill

U.S. Marines stormed Kuwaiti shores with heavy armor Saturday at the start of joint military exercises just south of the border with Iraq, the 1991 Persian Gulf War foe.

About 1,400 troops and equipment of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed at this remote desert area north of the capital, Kuwait City, for a four-month deployment.

The amphibious landing marked the start of a three-week joint exercise code-named Eager Mace 2000.

The U.S. equipment includes M1A1 main battle tanks, various armored and amphibious assault vehicles, TOW antitank and Stinger missile systems, a variety of helicopters and Harrier jets.

William Monroe, the deputy head of mission at the U.S. Embassy, told reporters as American troops poured out of Hovercrafts: “It’s a great reflection of the good, strong bilateral relationship we have between Kuwait and the United States, including the security military side, and a demonstration of our commitment to Kuwait and the [Persian] Gulf region.”

Defense Secretary William S. Cohen, a frequent visitor to the region, is expected to meet American troops in Kuwait when he arrives here Saturday.

Marine Col. Richard Zilmer said: “Our organization has spent nearly a year in preparation for this deployment to come to the gulf.”

The United States maintains a year-round presence in oil-rich Kuwait, including ground forces and a variety of warplanes.