Bush Witnesses Military
Training at
Fri Mar
15,
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Reuters) - President Bush got a first-hand look on Friday
at how Army special operations forces break up a mock riot -- complete with
anti-American slogans and attack helicopters -- as he prodded Congress to pass
his $379 billion defense budget without delay.
On a visit to
As he arrived, the presidential motorcade passed a quiet tree-lined road and
a quaint "Welcome to Pineland" sign. Bush came face-to-face with two
burned-out school buses and entered a make-shift city overrun with menacing
"rioters," who taunted the president as they swarmed over a destroyed
tank.
From his perch on top of a cinder-block "U.S. Embassy," Bush
donned a baseball cap, protective goggles and large ear muffs to watch an
elaborate training exercise.
Six special forces parachuted from 10,000 feet
(3,050 meters) with oxygen, commandos rappelled from a Blackhawk helicopter, and
two M-47 Chinooks dropped off armed Army Rangers -- two on motorcycles, seven
in a souped-up Land Rover and others on foot.
Kicking up dust amid the explosions and commotion, an MH-6 "Little
Bird" helicopter fired blanks into the crowd that shook sticks at Bush and
chanted "Go home
As Bush watched, special forces went room-to-room
in an adjacent building using explosives and machine guns to root out rioters
where they hid. Army Rangers kept watch from nearby rooftops, and a refueling
plane passed overhead, its gas lines tethered to two helicopter.
After about 15 minutes, Bush radioed to the commander that the battle was
over. Bodies and shells littered the ground as silence fell over
"Pineland."
"That was exciting. I think they're well trained," Bush said. "I'm glad they're on our side."