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In preparation for the possible war with Iraq, the Bataan, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, dispensed with its usual retinue of Sea Knight and Cobra attack helicopters in order to clear the deck and increase the number of vertical-takeoff Harriers the ship carries from six to 24.

The extra Harriers will allow the marine squadrons carry out both their traditional mission of attacking Iraqi targets that pose a threat to advancing riflemen and run precision bombing missions. However, to hear the marines talk, it will be politically correct strategic bombing. "We want the regime to quit, not to fight," said Lt. Col. Scott Pomarico, the deputy carrier air group commander. "This is different than other wars. It is about regime change it is not about destroying things. We want them to have an economy that functions, an infrastructure that functions and a country that functions."

In Washington, the White House and Pentagon have said an invasion of Iraq will likely be the only way to ensure Saddam Hussein does not develop more weapons of mass destruction. But on the Bataan, the ship's captain, Earl Yerger, talks about undertaking a "mission of liberation," often speaking to the sailors and marines here about of the importance of freeing the Iraqi people. "This is a right and just cause," he said. "It is a liberation of the Iraq people."

The message has trickled down to the pilots–who see a potential armed conflict with Iraq as a very just war. "The Iraqi people are not a liberated, free people," said Capt. William Vessey, a 30-year-old Harrier pilot from Fort Collins, Colo. "No one knows exactly what the objective will be but the liberation of Iraq is on everyone's mind."

Bataan set sail from Norfolk two months ago with more than 1,000 marines aboard. Since landing those marines in Kuwait City in February, the Bataan has been cruising in the Persian Gulf giving the Harrier pilots time to train. In addition, the Harriers help to enforce the no-fly zone in southern Iraq. With a quickened pace of bombing raids looking increasingly like a precursor to a formal invasion, these pilots are already preparing the ground for an American attack. And even the training runs have the secondary purpose of showcasing American air power to Iraqi conscripts. "We are extending our presence," said one pilot, "letting people know we are here."

But as the summer advances there are worries. As it grows hotter, it becomes more difficult for the Harriers to launch and land. Already the most difficult fighter jet to fly, in the heat marines must muster near superhuman concentration to pilot the plane. The jets must take off with less fuel, meaning missions have to be shorter. The planes also must be lighter to land, meaning that bombs that are not dropped on targets must be jettisoned from the craft before it lands.

Nevertheless, Navy and marine officers say they will be ready to go. "We have been practicing the dance and the battle rhythm," Pomarico said. "We are going to fly more than we have ever flown before."