Marines Killed Dec. 1 at Promotion Ceremony, Not on Patrol

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2005 - Ten Marines killed Dec. 1 were attending a promotion ceremony at a makeshift patrol base outside Fallujah, Iraq, not on patrol as was originally reported, military officials said.

Eleven other Marines were wounded in the incident.

The Marines, from Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, were inside an abandoned flour factory being used as a patrol base when an improvised explosive device detonated.

Officials noted the platoon had swept the area for explosives and established security around the factory. On that day, the company commander traveled to the patrol base to promote three Marines, and a promotion ceremony involving a group of Marines was conducted inside the patrol base.

When the ceremony ended, the Marines dispersed. Officials believe that one of the Marines triggered a hidden pressure plate initiation device, causing the explosion. Explosive experts believe four artillery shells were buried in two separate locations. All Marines were wearing their protective equipment, officials said.

(From a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)

Related Site:

Multinational Force Iraq [http://www.mnf-iraq.com/]

Related Article:

10 Marines Killed, 11 Wounded Outside Fallujah [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2005/20051202_3519.html]

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