By Tony Perry, Times Staff Writer
July 6, 2006

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif.

At their sprawling base here, the Marines have constructed Wadi al Sahara, or Valley in the Desert, consisting of 475 structures, including a mosque and a souk, or marketplace. Made from shipping containers, and spread over 360 acres, the faux village cost more than $23 million.

Many of the lessons of Mojave Viper are tailored to the evolving situation in Iraq, including the need for greater restraint in the use of deadly force compared with the assault on Baghdad in 2003 or the house-to-house fighting in Ramadi and Fallouja in 2004.

Role players, paid $150 to $275 a day, act the part of Iraqis, some friendly to the U.S., some hostile, some armed, some plaintive, some duplicitous. The woman sitting peacefully could be acting as a spotter for an insurgent sniper.

http://tinyurl.com/fv4cb

>>Whaddya say Gunny? Grab a couple of towels and head out to 29 Palms for $150 a day (I'm sure that high end pay scale is for Arabic speakers).
>>This seems to be some great training. Have a few friends involved in this, and it really is a first rate training opportunity that I think is doing some good.

Maybe an opening for rppearso?

Que the music (looney tunes) and (sounds of feet heading for the door!) hmmm, wait a minute, I'm already making way more than that just sitting on my ass all day.....

Y'know, I never added up my "per day" income, but HEY, so do I! But don't ya miss 29 Palms? Wouldn't that be worth it? C'mon, I know ya miss it. What was it...the "400 Series" Ranges out there? 130 degress in the impact areas on fire and movement. Gawd I miss it!

yeah, I went to C&E schools there, and had numerous artillery exercises out there! Also spent 45 days in Palms Springs city jail while stationed there. Ah yes, the good ol days.....