Marines Begin Amphibious Exercise
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WASHINGTON — Marines in the Persian Gulf began an amphibious assault training exercise Tuesday that a Pentagon source said will feature a landing of more than 10,000 Marines on a beach in Oman.
The exercise, scheduled to last 10 days, is the second major Marine practice of amphibious assault techniques that could be used in the event President Bush ordered an offensive against Iraqi forces in Kuwait. The first was conducted on an Omani beach in September.
Bob Hall, a Pentagon spokesman, said the exercise involves elements of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Amphibious Task Group 2, which have been in the gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield to defend Saudi Arabia against possible Iraqi attack.
The amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima was en route to the exercise area Tuesday when a boiler pipe ruptured, killing eight sailors and critically injuring two others.
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