THE FOLLOWING WAS WRITTEN BY A YOUNG MARINE CURRENTLY IN HIS THIRD TOUR OF IRAQ HMM-161 Crew Chief.....THIS STORY MADE ME SICK, ANGRY,SAD, READY FOR REVENGE, WANTING TO BOYCOTT OAKLAND AIRPORT, YOU NAME IT, I FELT IT..I HOPE YOU DO TO...COPY THIS AND PASTE IT EVERYWHERE, GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT HOW THESE TROOPS WERE MISTREATED..
On September 27th 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport.Instead they ha
more...THE FOLLOWING WAS WRITTEN BY A YOUNG MARINE CURRENTLY IN HIS THIRD TOUR OF IRAQ HMM-161 Crew Chief.....THIS STORY MADE ME SICK, ANGRY,SAD, READY FOR REVENGE, WANTING TO BOYCOTT OAKLAND AIRPORT, YOU NAME IT, I FELT IT..I HOPE YOU DO TO...COPY THIS AND PASTE IT EVERYWHERE, GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT HOW THESE TROOPS WERE MISTREATED..
On September 27th 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport.Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were located.
This was the last scheduled stop for fuel and food prior to flying to Hawaii where both were based. The trip started in Kuwait on September 26th with a rigorous search of checked and carry on baggage by US Customs. All baggage was x-rayed with a "backscatter" machine AND each bag was completely emptied and hand searched. After being searched, checked bags were marked and immediately placed in a secure container. Carry on bags were then x rayed again to ensure no contraband items were taken on the plane.
While waiting for the bus to the airport, all personnel were in quarantined in a fenced area and were not allowed to leave.
The first stop for fuel/food and crew change was in Leipzig Germany. Troops exited the aircraft and took a bus to a reception area in the terminal, where there was a convenience store, phones, Internet and restrooms. As we exited the bus we were given a re-boarding pass. Three troops remained on the plane with the rifles and pistols. There was no ammunition on the plane and the bolts of the rifles had been removed. After about 2 hours troops re-boarded the plane and flew to JFK in NY.
At JFK the procedure was similar to Germany, 3 troops stayed on the plane to guard weapons while the rest deplaned. At the gate we were each given a re-boarding pass and spent about 1.5 hours in the terminal, at which time we re-boarded and fl...
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