Company B Ready For Active Duty In Iraq
A group of U.S. Marines based in South Bend is preparing to go back to the front lines of the war in Iraq.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/3729571.html
(WSBT)
Members of Company B have been training at Camp Pendleton in California. This is the second time in three years they've been called on to serve in Iraq.
The Marines will clear routes in that country so coalition forces can safely get through. That means anything from breaking down barricades to finding and dismantling landmines and other explosives.
“They’ve got a very special IED identification mission over there,” Maj. Mark Boone, the commanding officer, told WSBT News. “So these Marines are going to be at the top of the sphere for the U.S. and our cause.”
The 135-member company leaves Saturday. And with less than two days until they ship out, they say there is little down-time.
“As soon as we got here it was hit the ground running and just a non-stop continuous training schedule,” said Sgt. Scott Leeper from Mishawaka.
Company B has been training for five weeks, and is scheduled to stay in Iraq for at least seven months.
Lance Corporal Bo Ennis, a 20-year-old from Walkerton, says this is what he’s been training for and he’s excited to put his training to use.
“It’s about time,” Ennis said Thursday. “The other Marines and I have really just been waiting to get over there and do our job and we finally get to do it.”