New Marine Task Force in US CentCom area
(BRUSSELS2) A new Marine task force will be “ based in the CentCom area of competence (NB = Middle East and Asia)” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. Made up of 2300 Marine and Air Force personnel, this rotational force “ will enhance CentCom's ability to support theater security cooperation to conduct exercises such as responding to emergencies “he detailed. And to specify that planning for this force began last year and is not a response to ongoing operations in Iraq but rather the 'new normal' in the Centcom region”. A similar force of Marines has already taken up residence in April at the Moron Air base in Spain, at the disposal of the US Africa Command (Africom). Of a more limited size - approximately 700 Marines -, it is " capable of conducting a range of operations, including evacuations, humanitarian aid as well as support to US embassies " on the continent.
(NGV)
