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Source: http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/family/article/0,1406,KNS_308_1806635,00.html
New U.S. Airstrips in Iraq Likely
(Knoxville News Sentinel) Thomas Hargrove - The Turkish Parliament's refusal to allow the U.S. to land troops for an attack on Iraq has led to speculation that the Pentagon will quickly build runways in northern Iraq in territory held by friendly Kurds. Military observers took interest in Alabama Gov. Bob Riley's announcement Tuesday that the 877th Army National Guard Engineering Battalion had been ordered to active duty. The 620-member battalion is specially equipped to construct "airfields, landing zones and similar projects" and will be assigned overseas, Riley said. "Activation of a specialty reserve unit this late usually means an unforeseen problem has arisen," said Loren Thompson, a military analyst in Washington.