FOREST SERVICE, MARINES JOIN FORCES TO HUNT
FOR MARIJUANA PLOTS

MEDFORD After a twoyear hiatus, the U.S. Marine Corps will join with the
U.S. Forest Service to fly over southwestern Oregon looking for marijuana
patches.

The Forest Service first used military training flights to help with its
marijuana eradication program in the late 1980's. Despite decreases in the
number of outdoor growing operations, the program was discontinued because
of budget cuts.

Four helicopters Two AH1W Super Cobras and two UH1N helicopters,
commonly known as "Hueys" will fly unarmed over public and private lands
during the next month. They will cover Jackson, Josephine, Coos,
Douglas,and Curry counties and part of California.