Western Anbar’s senior Marine commander, enlisted, visit troops along Iraq-Syria border posts for Thanksgiving
AL QA"IM, Iraq - Regimental Combat Team-7"s commander and sergeant major commended and expressed thanks to their Marines and sailors here for the "phenomenal things" they"re doing for the citizens of the Al Qa"im region.
Story and photos by Cpl. Michael S. Cifuentes, Combat Correspondent
3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment
Col. William B. Crowe and Sgt. Maj. Jimmy D. Mashburn spent Thanksgiving Day visiting the Marines of the southern Calif.-based 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, who are based in outposts in the northwest region of Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
They"re foremost message was simply "thank you for what you are doing for this region."
"I know it"s tough being away from your homes and families" said Mashburn to a group of Marines with 3/4. "But, you are doing an outstanding job here and we"re watching you from afar in Al Asad, [Iraq.]"
RCT-7 is the Coalition Forces unit responsible for providing security to more than 30,000 square miles in western Anbar, stretching from the Syrian and Jordan borders, east to the Euphrates River.
The sergeant major and colonel are based at the regimental headquarters in Al Asad. 3rd Battalion is one of RCT-7"s subordinate units in western Al Anbar Province.
The battalion is three months into a seven month Iraq deployment. They are tasked with patrolling the streets of the many cities that lie along this Euphrates River region, just miles east of the Iraq-Syria border. The Marines here face threats such as small-arms fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) every day while operating in the region.
The battalion also works with Iraqi soldiers and police, mentoring them so Iraqi Security Forces can eventually provide security to their own country.
"It"s good to see Marines with aggression and control," said Mashburn. "You are allowing the Iraqi citizens to taste freedom more and more, and at the same time, keeping them safe from the insurgency."
Since 3/4"s arrival here in September, the Marines have successfully disarmed IEDs, captured wanted individuals and found weapons caches in their area of operation.
"‘No better friend, no worse enemy" holds true with [you all]," said Mashburn, quoting the 1st Marine Division"s motto.
Along with securing the streets from adversaries, the Marines here have built a good rapport with its civilians. Husaybah, a city that borders Syria and was the setting of Operation Steel Curtain - a 2005 operation which pitted U.S. Marines and local Iraqi tribesmen against hundreds of insurgents - now hosts a flow of business in its market street, clear of insurgent activity.
"If we can maintain security of their streets, we will have their [local populace"s] support," said Cpl. Carl G. Williams, a squad leader with the battalion"s Kilo Company. "They want the insurgency out just as much as we do, so our relationship with them is more of a ‘business" relationship."
Mashburn also stated that regimental officials were confident in putting a battalion that was self-sufficient in this region. Overall, he"s proud of what the battalion is doing, he said.
Young Marines, such as Lance Cpl. Jordan R. Hintz, a 20-year-old from Esko, Minn., was one of the many Marines who met with the regiment"s senior leadership Thanksgiving Day. He was happy to see that the sergeant major and colonel wanted to be involved with the Marines" lives during the festive holiday, he said.
"It"s good to see that they want to know how we are and how we"re living," said Hintz after Mashburn visited him and his comrades in the living quarters of his outpost. "He [Mashburn] asked of our concerns and if we felt fine being here. We told him things here were great."
Marines like Hintz are living in 20-square-foot living quarters that bunk roughly six or more Marines or sailors. Hintz is a machine gunner in a platoon that conducts vehicle-mounted patrols in the city of Karabilah.
Along with their concerns for the troops" welfare, Mashburn and Crowe wished the Marines a "Happy Thanksgiving" to all they met, shaking hands and taking time to chat with Marines and sailors.
"Everyone"s got something to be thankful for, right?" asked Mashburn to some of the Marines he met with. He answered the question for them - "the Marines you work alongside with everyday, watching each other"s back" during combat operations.
"I am thankful for [you all] being here," said Mashburn. "Although you are not with your families at home, you are with your families here - the Marines and sailors you work with."
"Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you eat a lot of food today," said Mashburn, a native of Salem, Ill.
To some Marines, Thanksgiving in Iraq was just another day on the job, according to Hintz.
"I kind of lost track of the days out here," said Hintz. "Even though it"s Thanksgiving, we still have jobs to do."
Hintz said he misses his family and his girlfriend in Minnesota, but he"s glad he"s with his buddies here.
"Civilians can never understand what it is to be a Marine out here," said Mashburn to the Marines here. "You are ensuring these people"s freedom. It takes a great amount of maturity from you young people to take care of that. It"s amazing what you do."
Contact Cpl. Cifuentes at: cifuentesms@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil