GWT: US convoy moves into Southern Iraq, tanks in Umm Qasr, US deployment ex Texas

(28 Mar 2003)

APTN
Kuwait-Iraq Border - 28 March 2003
1. Wide of border checkpoint with helicopters flying ahead of military column
2. Armoured vehicles at the head of a long line of US military vehicles
3. Various of convoy on the move
4. US soldier mans a heavy machine gun on the roof of a truck followed by ambulances
5. Wide of convoy with soldier walking in the foreground
6. Wide of Humvees in convoy
7. Solder yells from vehicle AUDIO: "I'll be home soon"
8. Border guard waves convoy on
9. Wide of convoy heading into Iraq through heat haze

ABC
Fort Hood, Texas - 27 March 2003
10. Various of 4th Infantry Division troops getting on to a plane

STORYLINE:

As the United States hinted that as many as 120,000 more troops could to be deployed to Iraq, a massive convoy of US military vehicles, ammunition and troops was seen on Friday crossing the border from Kuwait into southern Iraq.

News of the deployment came after the Iraqis promised their capital would become a graveyard for the coalition.

As US officials admitted it could take months to defeat Saddam Hussein's regime, a British military spokesman said the southern Iraqi city of Basra is "clearly nowhere near" under control.

There was no official confirmation from Washington about the 120,000 more troops reportedly being sent to the region, although the total is believed to include the 40,000 officially announced yesterday.

The reinforcements are being sent after the Iraqis put up stiffer than expected resistance and prevented a smaller, fast-moving coalition force scoring a rapid walkover.

Pentagon officials said there were only 90,000 troops currently in Iraq.

At Fort Hood in Texas about 12,500 soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division began departing for duty in the Gulf.

It is the first major element to move out from Fort Hood, the nation's largest military post. If the division sees combat, it will be the first time since Vietnam.

The 4th Infantry Division is considered the Army's most modern heavy division, equipped with a sophisticated computer systems linking all its vehicles.

The soldiers were supposed to deploy to Turkey in February to open a northern front against Iraq, but the Turkish government refused to grant access.

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