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Despite Violence And Vandalism, Exercises Continue Successfully At Vieques
Story Number: NNS020906-15
Release Date: 9/6/2002 3:08:00 PM
From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs
PUERTO RICO (NNS) -- Naval exercises continued successfully on the island of Vieques in spite of a series of incidents late Wednesday involving local assailants.
Three Navy security personnel were hit by rocks - one by a rock hurled from a slingshot - during two separate incidents last night. To protect the safety of the Navy security forces, tear gas canisters were released at both of the disturbances.
In addition, more than 45 feet of fencing were cut at two separate locations and unknown persons set a fire along the fence-line at a third location. The fencing will cost nearly $5,000 to repair. This brings the total amount of fencing cut since May 2000 to 30,294 feet, adding to the more than $3 million of taxpayer funds that have been used to repair federal property damaged by vandals during this period.
Ships and aircraft of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Battle Group, continue the Composite Unit Training Exercises (COMPTUEX) on the Vieques Island inner range today.
The exercise, which began Tuesday, also uses the open ocean Northern and Southern Puerto Rican Operating Areas and involves complex battle group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground events.
All exercises on Vieques use non-explosive ordnance in accordance with presidential directives.
For more U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command news, visit their NewsStand account at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusns.
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