LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says the U.S. is using surveillance drones to aid in the search for the kidnapped Nigerian girls, and almost 300 Marines have been moved to a naval air station in Sicily in response to the growing unrest in Africa.

A senior U.S. official says at least one Global Hawk surveillance drone is in use, in addition to manned MC-12 aircraft.

The official was not authorized to talk publicly about the types of drones and discussed the matter on condition of anonymity.

Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren says the Marines were moved from a special task force in Spain to Sicily at the State Department’s request.

They’re mainly there to respond to the deteriorating security in Africa.

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