For Headquarters Marines, “a typical day is anything but” in Iraq
Editor"s Note: This article was originally written in October, however, its publication was postponed due to operational security reasons.
CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (Oct. 8, 2006) - Coalition Forces wrapped up a counterinsurgency mission along the Euphrates River in western Al Anbar province late last month.
Story by Capt. Mike Alvarez,
Photos by Regimental Combat Team 7 Combat Camera
U.S. Marines, soldiers, sailors and Iraqi Police uncovered multiple weapons caches and faced two improvised explosive device attacks throughout the four-day operation without sustaining casualties.
IED attacks are the number-one killer of Coalition Forces personnel in Iraq, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count - an organization which tallies U.S. and coalition casualties based off Department of Defense press releases.
The largest cache netted in the operation was found in a cave containing about 300 82 mm mortar rounds and various bomb-making components, commonly used in IED attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. Marines here deem the results a success - finding just one mortar round would have still made their efforts worthwhile, they say.
"What we got was something that could have killed one of our Marines," said Maj. Randal Walsh, 33, and commanding officer for Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 7.
RCT-7 is the U.S. military unit responsible for training Iraqi Security Forces and providing security in more than 30,000 square miles of territory in western Al Anbar — an area which spans from the Syria/Jordan borders and East to the Euphrates River.
During last month"s operation, U.S. forces and Iraqi Police swept for weapons caches and interacted with locals within the 20 mile-stretch between the cities of Baghdadi and Hit, Iraq. Baghdadi, with a population of about 30,000, is located 120 miles west of Baghdad. Hit boasts a population of about 50,000 and is 25 miles south of Baghdadi.
Baghdadi policemen searched the area for weapons caches side-by-side with U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors. Their familiarity with the area, language and culture contributed greatly to the mission"s success as they interacted with locals and gathered valuable intelligence, Marines say.
The integration of the Iraqi Police was one of the most notable accomplishments of the mission, according to Staff Sgt. Jon Brodin, 37, and platoon commander for Headquarter Co."s Security Platoon, what the Marines call a "jump platoon."
"The Iraqi police were operating without direction (from the Marines), and with minimal logistics support from us," said Brodin - a complete 180 from six months ago, he said. "Six months ago, it would have been like pulling teeth to keep them out there."
Police found what Marines call a "fighter"s cache" consisting of IEDs and bomb-making material strategically placed by insurgents for quick access and escape, said Brodin, a native of Lakehurst, N.J.
Every Marine a rifleman
While a headquarters company traditionally performs in an administrative, communications and logistical support role, Walsh"s unit does much more in addition to these traditional roles to assist the 4,500-plus Marines, soldiers and sailors in training Iraqi Security Forces and conducting counterinsurgency operations throughout western Al Anbar Province.
Prior to their arrival here in February the company created several platoons made up of Marines and sailors within the company — administrative clerks, mechanics, communications technicians. The results were a provisional rifle platoon and a jump security platoon.
The unit"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." Of those in Headquarters Company who participated in last month"s mission, only eight, were infantrymen by trade.
The platoons give the company an offensive capability, said 1st. Lt. William Johnson, 27, and executive officer for Headquarters Company, RCT-7, and Oakdale, Minn. native.
Headquarters Company frequently conducts counterinsurgency operations and pitches in to help the Marines train Iraqi soldiers and the 2,000-plus Iraqi policemen in western Al Anbar.
The Marines of Headquarters Company have performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points.
"The results definitely have exceeded my expectations," said Johnson.
For these Marines, "a typical day is anything but typical," said 23-year-old Sgt. Christopher Williamson, a squad leader for the Headquarter Co."s Jump Security Platoon, and native of Sheffield, England
Late last month, a U.S. Army helicopter landed on an explosive device during a routine training mission in the middle of western Al Anbar"s desert. Brodin and his Marines braved Iraq"s roadways in their armored vehicles and made their way to the disabled helicopter"s location and provided security while rescue and recovery efforts were underway.
But danger is a fact of life in western Al Anbar Province, often called the "wild, wild west" of Iraq. Still, the Marines have a job to do, and despite the dangers - IEDs, ambushes, and small-arms attacks, Walsh says the Company"s "Jump" Marines thrive off the impact they"re making on a daily basis - keeping the region secure for Americans and Iraqis alike.
"Get the Marines out there, get their boots on the ground and their morale goes up when they know they are in the midst of making a difference," said Walsh, a native of Phoenix, Ariz.
Email Capt. Alvarez at: alvarezm@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.
Click on the original link above to find photo links.
CAPTIONS FOR PHOTOS:
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U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon patrol Abu Hayatt, a village in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province, March 13, 2006. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Michael Q. Retana)
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U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon patrol Abu Hayatt, a village in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province, March 13, 2006. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Michael Q. Retana)
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Lance Cpl. Christopher R. Peardin, a 20-year-old Marine from Harris, Texas, keeps a close eye inside a Humvee machine gun turret while on patrol with Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon Abu Hayatt, a village in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province, March 13, 2006. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Michael Q. Retana)
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U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon conduct a pre-patrol brief before going "outside the wire" - Marine speak for leaving the safety of their base - to patrol a village in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province, March 13, 2006. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Michael Q. Retana)
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Pvt. Cody Morgan and Cpl. Gerardo J. Rapeta, both U.S. Marines, carry 155 mm mortar rounds found when Marines from Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon and Iraqi Security Forces discovered a hidden weapons cache Sept. 22, 2006, along the bank of the Euphrates River in Hit, Iraq. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." Morgan is a 20-year-old from Burleson, Texas. Rapeta is a 24-year-old from Pinellas, Fla. (Photo by Cpl. Christopher Cardona, Jr.)
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Cpl. Ricardo J. Balistreri, a 20-year-old Marine from Milwaukee patrols along the banks of the Euphrates River near Hit, Iraq, Sept. 22, 2006, with Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Cpl. Christopher Cardona, Jr.)
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Lance Cpl. Nicholas D. Meche, a 20-year-old Marine from St. Landry, La., communicates with other Marines via radio while on patrol near the Euphrates River near Hit, Iraq, Sept. 22, 2006, with Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Cpl. Christopher Cardona, Jr.)
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Lance Cpl. Nicholas Spiewak, a 22-year-old machine gunner from Yuma, Ariz., patrols near the Euphrates River near Hit, Iraq, Sept. 22, 2006, with Regimental Combat Team 7"s security platoon in Iraq"s western Al Anbar Province. The platoon, nick-named the "Jump" Platoon, worked with Iraqi police and soldiers late last month to uncover multiple weapons caches during a four-day counterinsurgency operation along the Euphrates River. The platoon, which consists of mostly non-infantry Marines, such as cooks, mechanics and administrative clerks, patrol western Al Anbar Province on a nearly daily basis, facing roadside bombs, and small arms attacks. The platoon has performed a number of infantry missions throughout the region — patrolling in urban environments, river sweeps, manning traffic control points. According to Marine commanders, the security platoon"s make-up reemphasizes one of the Corps" time-proven ethos: "Every Marine a rifleman." (Photo by Cpl. Christopher Cardona, Jr.)