DATE=9/19/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON / DEPLOYMENT (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-280746

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Another U-S aircraft carrier battle group has put to sea as the United States marshals forces for an all-out assault on terrorism. V-O-A Military Affairs Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon.

TEXT: The aircraft carrier U-S-S Theodore Roosevelt set out from Norfolk, Virginia, accompanied by a flotilla that includes 10 guided missile cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other vessels. The group is being joined by a three-ship amphibious assault group carrying 21-hundred Marines.

In all, there are more than 15-thousand sailors and Marines on the ships.

Navy officials describe it as a previously-scheduled six-month deployment. But officials will not say where the battle group is going other than to tell reporters it is heading east. Some news reports say its initial destination is the Mediterranean Sea.

Normally, the Navy keeps three aircraft carrier battle groups at sea. With the addition of the Roosevelt, there are now five. The Navy says two are currently in the Pacific, one in the Indian Ocean, and one in the Arabian Gulf.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said the United States is prepared to use the full spectrum of its military capabilities in a war on terrorism. But he has also said the Pentagon is moving in what he terms a measured manner as authorities gather information and prepare what he says will be appropriate courses of action.

Mr. Rumsfeld has said the campaign will be broad-based and he adds that it will not quick or easy.

In addition to the latest naval battle group deployment, air force, and army units have been placed on alert for possible short-notice deployments. Defense authorities are also calling up some 35-thousand reservists to assist in domestic security and clean-up operations in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH