Foreign relations
About how many troops were deployed by Italy to support Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2003?
Italy
Italy 335th Fighter Squadron Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 8th Engineer Support Battalion 6th Communication Battalion
Italy-Foreign_relations 335th_Fighter_Squadron-Modern_era Marine_Aviation_Logistics_Squadron_26-Global_War_on_Terror 8th_Engineer_Support_Battalion-2000-2010 6th_Communication_Battalion-1990s_to_present
Italy is a founding member of the European Community, now the European Union (EU), and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Italy was admitted to the United Nations in 1955, and it is a member and strong supporter of a wide number of international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization (GATT/WTO), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, and the Central European Initiative. Its recent turns in the rotating presidency of international organisations include the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), the forerunner of the OSCE, in 1994; G8; and the EU in 2009 and from July to December 2003. Italy strongly supports multilateral international politics, endorsing the United Nations and its international security activities. As of 2013, Italy was deploying 5,296 troops abroad, engaged in 33 UN and NATO missions in 25 countries of the world. Italy deployed troops in support of UN peacekeeping missions in Somalia, Mozambique, and East Timor and provides support for NATO and UN operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania. Italy deployed over 2,000 troops in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) from February 2003. Italy still supports international efforts to reconstruct and stabilize Iraq, but it had withdrawn its military contingent of some 3,200 troops by November 2006, maintaining only humanitarian operators and other civilian personnel. In August 2006 Italy deployed about 2,450 troops in Lebanon for the United Nations' peacekeeping mission UNIFIL. Italy is one of the largest financiers of the Palestinian National Authority, contributing € 60 million in 2013 alone.
In January 2002, the 335th deployed to Al Jabar AB, Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. 12 F-15Es deployed, accomplishing 500 sorties comprising 3,000 flying hours. During this time the 335th dropped almost 300 laser guided and dumb bombs, and expended 1200 rounds of 20mm ammunition. The 335th received numerous awards and accolades from Operation Enduring Freedom; four Silver Stars were awarded as well as eight Distinguished Flying Crosses. In February 2003 the 335th again deployed to Southwest Asia for Operation Iraqi Freedom. During Iraqi Freedom and Operation Southern Watch the squadron deployed 24 F-15Es, and flew 1,500 sorties, totaling 7,000 flying hours. They dropped over 1 million pounds of precision and non-precision munitions on numerous targets such as key Iraqi leadership, command and control bunkers, artillery Republican Guard units and many others. 
In 2003 and 2004, MALS-26 deployed task-organized support forOperation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Secure Tomorrow. In January 2005, MALS-26 deployed, in its entirety, in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. In January 2009, MALS-26 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, MALS-26 responsible for the draw down and closing of AL-ASAD Air Base for the Marines in regards of the draw down of Marine troops in Iraq. In the recently Awards MARADMIN MALS-26 were awarded a NUC (Navy Unit Commendation) for the draw down and removal of the MALS and Marine Corps footprint in Iraq. 
Deployed during February 2003 to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring FreedomParticipated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, March–May 2003Elements participated in Operation Secure Tomorrow, Haiti, February–June 2004Elements returned to Iraq in February 2004 for continued operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2-1. Elements participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, January 2005-March 2006Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, March–October 2007Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, April–November 2009Elements participated in Operation Unified Response, Haiti, January–March 2010Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, November 2010-June 2011 
The battalion participated in support of Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia from December 1990 to April 1991. They relocated during July 1997 to Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, many 6th Comm Marines volunteered for Operation Rainbow Hope, organized by the New York State Naval Militia. This operation, which also included members of other local reserve units, provided security for New York City Metropolitan Area bridges, tunnels, the mayoral residence, relief supply distribution points, ground zero, and other potential target areas. During the operation, a number of Rainbow Hope volunteers were billeted on Governor's Island. The entire battalion was mobilized in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to June 2003. After returning to New York, the unit was demobilized in September 2003. Elements of the battalion have again mobilized and deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom since June 2004 to the present. 