TS Company delivers greater security to Saqlawiyah police
FALLUJAH, Iraq (March 20, 2007) -- Prior to departing for their March 19 mission, the Marines of Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), took a hard look at the task before them.
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/20073232296
March 20, 2007; Submitted on: 03/23/2007 02:29:06 AM ; Story ID#: 20073232296
By Cpl. Andrew M. Kalwitz, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
The Marines would need to deliver 500 gallons of diesel fuel, repair and recover a logistics vehicle system and transport eight 10,000-pound, concrete barriers to an Iraqi Police Station.
“Another day at the office,” said Lance Cpl. David A. Delgadillo, a motor vehicle operator with the company.
The original mission was to install protective barriers around the Iraqi Police Station in Saqlawiyah, but the list of objectives was extended on short-notice.
“The mission went pretty smooth, but it took a lot longer than I expected,” said Sgt. Eban J. Peterson, assistant patrol leader with TS Company.
After the sunlight died and humvee and truck engines came to life, the Marines made their way to a forward operating base, where approximately 80,000 pounds worth of concrete barriers were waiting to be transported. But that wasn’t all that was waiting there.
One of their logistics vehicle systems had blown a fuel/water separator four days prior while delivering an ISO container full of supplies. An ISO, as they are commonly referred to, are shipping containers designed by the International Organization for Standardization.
“We took an ISO container out there with food and water inside,” said Peterson, a Jacksonville, N.C., native. “The vehicle went down and we weren’t able to drive it back.”
After the company’s maintainers repaired the vehicle, it was time to move on to the Saqlawiyah Police Station.
Concealed by the darkness of a moonless night, the Marines erected eight barriers; a definite improvement upon the two already there.
“We’re increasing the survivability for the force protection of the Saqlawiyah (Iraqi Police) station,” said 2nd Lt. Jay L. Montgomery, a platoon commander with the company.
There has been a concerted effort to ensure safety in this area. Engineers with CLB-6 recently installed a sniper screen to provide concealment for the Iraqi Police.
After completing the second objective, the Marines departed Saqlawiyah to rejoin with the Marines who were tasked with delivering the diesel fuel, which they had supplied to a Military Transition Team in support of a nearby Iraqi army unit.
After enduring another ride, the Marines made it back to Camp Fallujah just after the sun rose.
“It’s the first mission we’ve done that’s not an ordinary convoy,” said Montgomery, a Nashville, Tenn., native.
In addition to building a stronger and more secure defense in Saqlawiyah, the TS Company Marines may have very well built even more confidence in their abilities to get the job done – whether the mission be a familiar one or not.