KV Marines serve western Al Anbar
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq (May 24, 2007) -- The Marines of Detachment 1, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) provide the necessities for operations in the western reaches of Al Anbar Province.
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May 24, 2007; Submitted on: 05/25/2007 08:45:36 AM ; Story ID#: 200752584536
By Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
“We’re in direct support of (Regimental Combat Team 2) and general support for everyone else out here,” said Gunnery Sgt. Johnny Vancil, officer-in-charge of the detachment and a St. Louis native.
Detachment 1 provides the region with fuel, postal, disbursing, and exchange services. They also provide units with maintenance, medical care and motor transportation and heavy equipment operators.
The detachment’s sections vary in numerous ways, but all make a unique contribution to the mission at hand.
The bulk fuels section distributes 4,000 to 5,000 gallons of fuel each day, offering 24-hour service. And the detachment’s maintenance section handles everything from basic equipment and vehicle repairs to higher-level maintenance tasks like replacing a transmission or even more extensive work needed on vehicles damaged during combat operations.
The Marines aren’t bothered by the extra work, but admit that the reason behind it can weigh on their minds.
“I hate to see humvees and vehicles coming in with a lot of damage because it means someone got hurt or killed,” said Sgt. Christopher L. McCabe, the maintenance section staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge and a Bellaire, Ohio, native.
The Shock Trauma Platoon here provides medical care for the area’s personnel, handling anything from pneumonia to gunshot wounds. However, due to their inability to perform surgery, patients requiring extensive care are flown to nearby medical facilities if needed.
The services provided by Detachment 1’s Marines and sailors extend from here to Trebil, Waleed and Rutbah, and support all of the coalition forces in this region.
“Without some of the support we get from them, we would not be able to continue operations,” said Lance Cpl. Alex K. Van Dusseldorp, a member of Police Transition Team 22, as Iraqi policemen fueled their vehicles at the detachment’s fuel farm behind him.
The North Zulch, Texas, native’s team is in charge of training the local area’s growing police force who are steadily taking on more responsibilities as the chief source of law enforcement here.
Although the detachment is farther from the region’s logistical hub, Al Taqaddum, Vancil said they have not experienced any significant problems with receiving gear.
“Everything we’ve ever requested or thought we could use, we’ve gotten it,” he said.
But doing more with less is an ability these Marines seem to possess and could certainly come in handy considering their location.
“We rarely ever tell someone something can’t be done,” he added. “If we say ‘no’, there is no possible way. There’s nowhere else.”