Saturday, September 29, 2007

Spitting on the Marines   [Michael Ledeen]

Here is an e-mail from a Marine chaplain recently returned from Iraq. The story speaks for itself—lousy treatment of our troops at our own airports. He writes about Oakland, and while checking around I find that this is a common experience. I hope that one of our leaders will find a way to put an end to such behavior.

Marines and Soldiers Returning from Iraq not allowed

into Oakland terminal



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 excited 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 flew to

Oakland.



As we came in for the final approach to Oakland a

Lieutenant who served in Afghanistan with the same

unit in 2006 mentioned how when they landed in Oakland

they were not allowed in the terminal. He said, "they

made us get out by the FED EX building and we had to

sit out there for 3 hours". He also indicated he was

almost arrested by the TSA for getting belligerent

about them not letting the Marines into the terminal.



Well the same thing happened again. This time we did

not park by the FED EX building, instead we were

offloaded near the grass that separates the active

runway from the taxi ramp, about 400 yards from the

terminal. When we inquired why they wouldn't allow us

in the airport they gave us some lame excuse that we

hadn't been screened by TSA. While true, the

screening which we did have was much more thorough

than any TSA search and was done by US Customs.

Additionally, JFK didn't seem to have a problem with

our entering their terminal, nor did security in

Germany.



It felt like being spit on. Every Marine and soldier

felt the message loud and clear, "YOU ARE NOT WELCOME

IN OAKLAND!"

09/29 05:24 PMShare