More than 3,000 US marines and sailors rehearsed helicopter and ship-to-shore landings off East Timor today amid expectations of a revenge strike over the terror attacks on New York and Washington.
The taskforce from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron One had been due to disembark troops for humanitarian work in Dili, the southwest town of Suai and the Oecussi enclave in Indonesian West Timor.
Instead, three amphibious ships led by the 40,000-ton USS Peleliustayed off the north coast of the capital practicing naval and air maneuvers with Harrier jets, helicopters and landing craft.
US army spokesman Major Paul van Breemen said the taskforce was due to sail for the Oecussi enclave tomorrow to deliver humanitarian supplies before heading to Singapore.
"After that, I am not really sure where they will go. They are part of a much bigger force," he said.
The Peleliuis a multipurpose amphibious assault ship carrying six AV-8 Harrier jets designed to provide close air support for marine amphibious landings.