Constant state of alert in Kunar
The Marines at Camp Blessing have uncovered the most weapon caches, taken the most enemy indirect-fire attacks inside their camp and killed the most enemy of any unit from the 3rd Marine Division’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, during its deployment in Afghanistan. (2/3 / pics at ext link)
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=32612
The Marines at Camp Blessing have uncovered the most weapon caches, taken the most enemy indirect-fire attacks inside their camp and killed the most enemy of any unit from the 3rd Marine Division’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, during its deployment in Afghanistan.
They have also lost three Marines and given out 14 Purple Hearts since arriving at the camp in June.
Cpl. Andrew Lowe, 21, of San Diego, was just feet away from the incoming mortar round that took the life of one of those three — Lance Cpl. Steven Valdez — this September.
A week before the attack, Afghan contractors had constructed a flag pole for the base. Initially, the pole was supposed to be a small structure, but the Afghans built a larger-than-expected base for it.
During the attack when the round struck, a lot of the shrapnel hit the flag pole structure instead of nearby Marines.
Lowe was temporarily deafened by the blast and was so close to the explosion that smoke steamed out from underneath his helmet.
“That flag pole saved my life,” said the Company E mortarman. “You think it would be the scariest moment of your life. It was just weird with it landing so close.”
The Marines have weathered the adversity with only two officers at the small fire base, which can be traversed in about five minutes.
“Kunar province is one of the most troublesome provinces in Afghanistan,” said 1st Lt. Patrick Kinser, Company E 1st platoon commander.
“Our success, for being so small, is a result of being able to establish good relationships with the locals.”
— Steve Mraz