US paratroopers in Egypt for joint strike maneuvers

US paratroopers began arriving for joint exercises with the Egyptian Army in the latest move to build up a strike force for middle East emergencies. The 1, 400-strong contingent from the new US Rapid Deployment Force will spend 12 days camped out at Cairo West Air Base. The joint US- Egyptian exercise, the second this year, will include training for an air assault, daytime attack, and night attack. The American contingent, made up largely of a battalion from the 101st Airborne Division, will be backed up by eight a-7 subsonic ground attack planes and a single c-135 command and control aircraft.