American 1st ID sets up new base near Iraqi border in Turkey

Stars and Stripes ^ | March 8, 2003 | Jon R. Anderson

[Dog Gone]

MARDIN, Turkey — A 1st Infantry Division-led logistics task force has pushed deep into eastern Turkey to establish a new forward operating base just 100 miles from the Iraqi border.

On the outskirts of the ancient mountaintop city of Mardin, the new outpost is near a small civilian airport and sits just off the main road leading to Turkey’s frontier with Iraq.

The compound once served as a grain refinery and warehouse complex, according to local residents.

Rain-soaked soldiers worked into the pre-dawn hours Friday, unloading dozens of Humvees, trucks, fuel haulers and other hardware after a grueling 15-hour convoy from southern Turkey’s port city of Iskenderun.

Officials say the new base will serve as a logistics hub for tens of thousands of U.S. combat troops, if Turkish leaders approve an American invasion force.

“It’s a command and control node for the flow of site preparation equipment and other potential forces,” said Navy Cmdr. Ike Skelton, spokesman for the U.S. buildup in Turkey.

Among the units setting up the outpost are 1st ID’s 701st Main Support Battalion — the division’s heavy lifter when it comes to trucks and fuel — as well as the 601st Support Battalion, a unit dedicated to supplying and maintaining the division’s helicopter units.

Soldiers wearing the Army’s medical command patch and the Germany-based 21st Theater Support Command patch could also be seen working around the compound.

Establishment of the new base comes amid continuing uncertainty over U.S. plans to use Turkey as a springboard for an invasion into northern Iraq.

While Turkish lawmakers approved 3,500 U.S. troops to begin laying the groundwork for that more than month ago, the parliament failed to pass a motion last week to give the green light a 62,000-stong invasion force.

Urged on by the top general of the Turkish military on Wednesday, government leaders have hinted they may push for another vote soon.

Key elections are slated for Sunday, which will likely see a new prime minister installed, so it’s uncertain when that vote may happen. Some reports predict days, other reports say weeks.

Troops have waited for more than two weeks to move out of staging areas, while military gear has piled up along Iskenderun’s docks.

Instead of grinding to a halt, however, the cogs of site preparation have quickened in recent days.

Within hours of the 1st ID convoy pushing east out of Iskenderun to set up the new outpost, a fourth cargo ship brimming with more logistics gear began unloading along the port’s freshly cleared marshalling areas.

“It’s good to finally be doing something,” said one soldier early Friday, rain beading up on the black M-16 assault rifle slung over his back.

“This is a damn sight better than being cooped up, that’s for sure,” said the soldier, guiding a Humvee through the rain off a flatbed trailer with green chemical lights known as glow sticks.

On Friday afternoon, soldiers bustled around the camp, guided loading cranes, unpacked equipment and set up shop.

Tight coils of freshly strung razor wire surround the compound as blue-bereted Turkish commandos guard a main gate alongside flak-vested U.S. troops.

Inside, a command post has been set up, with more troops checking ID badges.

Just down the muddy, potholed road, American civilians wearing Brown & Root baseball caps were seen overseeing improvements at other facilities in the area, including a fuel station. Brown & Root is well-known among troops serving in Kosovo and Bosnia for playing an important role in setting up and running military camps.

[Dog Gone]

Encouraging sign.

[blam]

There's no time left to unload the thirty ships milling off the coast of Turkey. Looks like we'll go without them. It also looks like we'll fly in some M1 tanks into Northern Iraq on C-17's, one tank at a time.

[Pern]

Best wishes to the Big Red One!

[Dog Gone]

It's hard to imagine a new vote in the Turkey parliament before next weekend. At best, our equipment will unload in Turkey and move into Northern Iraq either late during the assault on Baghdad, or merely as peacekeeping forces in Northern Iraq after the war is over.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[archy]

It also looks like we'll fly in some M1 tanks into Northern Iraq on C17's, one tank at a time.

Or, if a large enough airstrip is available, on C5 Galaxies, which can carry two M1A2 Abrams tanks, half of one of a tank company's platoons.

I expect that shortly, that new front-line base at Mardin will be considered a *rear area* one.

-archy-/-

[blam]

"Or, if a large enough airstrip is available, on C5 Galaxies, which can carry two M1A2 Abrams tanks, half of one of a tank company's platoons."

It's my understanding that only the C-17 can carry M1 Abrams tanks and then only one at a time. They can land on short, rough runways though.

[blam]

"At best, our equipment will unload in Turkey and move into Northern Iraq either late during the assault on Baghdad, or merely as peacekeeping forces in Northern Iraq after the war is over."

While they're loaded, just send them to South Korea.

[afraidfortherepublic]

At best, our equipment will unload in Turkey and move into Northern Iraq either late during the assault on Baghdad, or merely as peacekeeping forces in Northern Iraq after the war is over.

When our troops started moving off the docks and through Turkey, there were TV shots of young Turks teens applauding the troop movement, tanks, etc. There was no explanation, but the teens seemed to be pleased that our troops were there. They certainly weren't throwing rocks.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I overheard some men in a restaurant here talking about ships that have just left CA -- flight decks that are 4 1/2 acres!

[a_Turk]

Here's a Kurdish citizen of Turkey, a veteran of the Turkish Armed Forces. Thought you might enjoy the picture :^D


A Kurdish man wearing a medal for fighting in the Korea war in 1953 alongside U.S. units, sits with other men as they drink tea and enjoy a sunny Saturday backdropped by wooden swings in the town of Cizre, south-eastern Turkey, Saturday March 8, 2003.

[a_Turk]

>>They certainly weren't throwing rocks.

Our enemies are among your ranks and are taking full advantage of the situation. Anyone who tells you that the Turks are not your allies, is in fact our enemy, or has been taken advantage of by our enemies...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/829520/posts

[Dog Gone]

That's great!

[Snickersnee]

My daughter Alexis (combat medic, C Co., 201 Fwd Spt Bn) will no doubt pass thru there. Meanwhile, my daughter Heather (ULLS-G clerk, 1245th Trk Co) will be driving north from Kuwait. Look out, Soddom!!! When they're finished opening a can on you, it will be off to Gitmo, to be guarded by my son Clayton, (11C, 2/116 Inf.) Let's Roll!

[a_Turk]

Proud parent of some tough kids huh? You should be :))

I'll post these picture to show you the kind of people we, who may receive one of them, are. Here are some tough Turkish police girls and boys:



Here's a picture of one of our female medics:


I pray that your children all come home safe and sound.

[Ben Hecks]

" It's my understanding that only the C-17 can carry M1 Abrams tanks and then only one at a time. They can land on short, rough runways though."

You may be thinking of the C-141 or the even smaller C-130, neither of which can transport the M1 Abram. The C-5 has a 144 ft. long cargo deck compared to 88 for the C-17 and can carry 270,000 lbs.....or two Abrams. The gross weight of a loaded C-5 (in the neighborhood of 900,000 lbs) requires a suitable runway/parking ramp - the USAF surveys and approves all airports prior to using them for C-5 operations.

[PoisedWoman]

Alexis, Heather, and Clayton have my admiration, thanks and prayers. You too for raising such a fine family of patriots.

[PoisedWoman]

What an amazing proud strong face. Bless him and his medal!

[First_Salute]

Thanks.