Green mile of Essex marines
IT was a sight not often seen in Cairns - 600 US Marines marched along the Esplanade early yesterday as the build-up to Talisman Sabre continues.
Some sang, others waved at onlookers and all were in good spirits as the Marines hiked 10km, their second and longest hike of their week-long stay in the Far North.
View pictures: USS Essex vistors in Cairns
"The hike was a great way for the Marines and sailors to see the city from a different perspective and served as another method to continue working up to Talisman Sabre 2009," battalion landing team commanding officer
Lt-Col Christopher Dowling said.
"However, the main purpose behind any hike is to help maintain a high level of conditioning needed in order to remain ready for future missions."
Lt-Col Dowling said the Marines did the hike according to their creed – We Train as We Fight – meaning each was wearing their near-full battle ready attire.
Pictures: Faces of the USS Essex
Rifleman Lance-Cpl Clifton Kramer said the hike recreated a real-life scenario.
"We usually carry more weight than this, but it was pretty much what we carry to the field," he said.
Lt-Col Dowling thanked Cairns residents and local authorities for helping yesterday’s hike, and a previous one on Tuesday morning, run smoothly.
Reader pictures: USS Essex in Cairns
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"The Cairns police department and other local officials were professional and happy to support the conditioning hike," he said.
The visiting USS Essex and USS Tortuga will remain in Cairns until Monday, when they will leave port to take part in the military exercise Talisman Sabre.
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Green mile: Marines from the USS Essex and USS Tortuga march along the Cairns Esplanade yesterday in full pack drill. Picture: Marc McCormack
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