Marines Leave to Keep Somalian Mission Supplied : Logistics: Humanitarian nature of operation helps troops and families deal with the deployment farewells.

A small vanguard of Marines armed with rifles and, perhaps more precious, bottled water left Camp Pendleton on Wednesday with orders to help open up Mogadishu to civilization.

Amid tears, hugs and handshakes, the 320 men and women Marines boarded 10 white buses that took them to March Air Force Base for the flight to Somalia, where they’ll set up the supply system and services for thousands of troops to follow.

“These folks will form the nucleus for all the logistics operations,” Gunnery Sgt. Ernie Carter said.

The Marines from the 1st Force Service Support Group will make provisions for purifying water, generating electricity and allowing a smooth supply of food for Operation Restore Hope.

The mission’s importance was all that made the departure bearable for family members.

“I’m happy that he’s going over there, because I think they need him more than I do,” said Valerie Smith, who married Cpl. George Smith only six weeks ago.

“It’s going to be tough, real tough,” Smith said, noting she’s been told not to expect mail from her husband for a month.

Tears were mixed with smiles as Marines, clad in desert camouflage, kissed their spouses goodby through a chain link fence. Once on the bus, some Marines hung out the windows, shaking hands with other troops who were staying behind.

“It was a hard day for the families, but they were upbeat about going on a humanitarian mission,” 1st Lt. Kevin Bentley said.

The contingent will join 1,800 other Camp Pendleton Marines who arrived in the region earlier on San Diego-based ships and went ahore in Somalia, securing the port and airport of Mogadishu.

Thousands of Marine infantrymen will ship out, but officials said Wednesday it isn’t certain when the main force will depart.

Emotions are running strong, starting Tuesday night as many Marine families watched live television coverage of troops in full combat gear going ashore to begin the operation.

It was the dawn of a new era of electronic contact with loved ones.

“I feel connected to what he’s doing,” Andrea Schneider, 33, said of her husband, Capt. Glenn Schneider. “My father was a submariner. We would go for months without contact, without seeing him. I feel more connected than my mother ever felt.”

“I’m giddy,” Schneider added. “I’m excited for him because I know that’s how he’s feeling.”

Although she and her two small children will miss the Marine officer, Schneider said the absence is relatively easy to explain to the children.

“My 3-year-old was taking canned food to donate at her preschool, and she said, ‘Just like Daddy,”’ Schneider said. “I feel what he’s doing now is more meaningful than any number of gifts left under a Christmas tree would be.”

As families watched the landing--and the throngs of reporters and TV cameras covering the event in Somalia--they were surrounded by a media mob that converged at Camp Pendleton to record family reactions to the live coverage.

Marines and service wives, some surrounded by three reporters at a time, were bothered by the blinding television lights and the circus atmosphere. Some complained that the overwhelming media presence interfered with what they had come to do--watch TV.

At one point, camera lights were so bright viewers couldn’t see the screen.

“Hey,” a base spokesman pleaded, “they really want to see this.”

Meanwhile, service agencies for the sprawling Marine base accelerated efforts to ease holiday season loneliness.

The Armed Services YMCA in nearby Oceanside is collecting money or donations of Christmas gifts for the troops and their children, said associate executive director Karina Kingman.

For troops, the best gifts are small items, such as Frisbees, small board games and suntan lotion, she said. For the children left behind, unwrapped toys and sports equipment are desired.

“We’re desperate,” she said. “Our money has been cut back 25% by the United Way, plus the recession. It’s been a really tough past few months, and all of a sudden the guys are deployed over to Somalia.”

Associated Press contributed to this report.