2/6 Spartans maintain steady pace during Operation Alljah
FALLUJAH, Iraq (June 21, 2007) -- “Shukran,” an Iraqi soldier said after a Marine handed him a sandbag. “You’re welcome,” the Marine responded. Even though the two can’t completely understand each other, their comments are genuine. Taking little notice to the language barrier, their work remains steady because they are, after all, working side-by-side in 110 degree heat.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E1286889C6B434B18525730100572A19?opendocument
June 21, 2007; Submitted on: 06/21/2007 11:52:04 AM ; Story ID#: 200762111524
By Cpl. Joel Abshier, Regimental Combat Team 6
Over the past week, Marines with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, and Iraqi soldiers worked diligently together to fortify an abandoned Iraqi home that later became one of many Iraqi Police precincts in the city during Operation Alljah here June 18.
The mission of Operation Alljah was to provide stability and protection for the citizens of Fallujah. Marines worked with the Iraqi Police and Army to partition off a segment of the city and set up operational stations where Iraqi civilians come in to receive identification cards, food, reimbursements and a chance to join the one of the many neighborhood watch programs.
“Our job here is to help out the (Iraqi Police) and Iraqi Army,” said 26-year-old Sgt. Yves V. Elveus, 1st squad leader with 4th platoon, Golf Company, 2/6. “We will be at this precinct for awhile to help the transitional aspect of changing control of the city from U.S. forces to Iraqi forces. Basically we are helping them gain the upper hand.”
The purpose of the precinct is to maintain an established police force within the city. The Iraqi Army and Marines with 2/6 currently operate out of the precinct because the police force is still becoming an established entity. While together, missions will be easier for both the Marines and Iraqi forces, said 20-year-old Pfc. Dustin M. Winstead, an assaultman with 4th Platoon, Golf Company, 2/6.
“At first the (Iraqi soldiers) didn’t know what was going on,” Winstead said. “But after watching us fill sandbags and carry them up flights of stairs to place in windows and around the rooftop bunkers, they didn’t hesitate to help. They jumped right in behind us.”
When the combat engineer Marines of 4th Platoon, Combat Engineer Battalion attached to 2/6 arrived at the precinct in the middle of night, the compound was moderately prepared and equipped. Now there are bunkers, barriers and sandbags situated throughout the compound, providing much needed protection from anti-coalition forces.
“The engineers came here with pre-made posts,” said Elveus, a native of Stoughton, Mass. “They put them up on the roof for us, because that’s where the (Iraqi soldiers) will be posted. The next night they brought all the stuff we needed to finish the job here.”
Supplies given included hundreds of sandbags, which were hastily situated throughout the compound to provide suitable protection against anti-coalition forces. After fortifying the building, many Marines began to add a few luxuries.
“We made our own showers, installed air conditioners and are basically trying to make life as livable as possible while we’re here,” Winstead said. “We are going to be here for (a while) so we might as well be comfortable.”
Comfort aside, both the Iraqi forces and Marines kept their weapons loaded with rounds in the chambers, referred in the military as being condition one, in the case an escalating situation transpires.
“This is supposedly one of the hottest areas around here,” Elveus said of the reported levels of violence. “But during this operation, it’s been relatively quite. Regardless of that, everyone stayed in condition one. And when I say condition one; I am not talking just talking about our weapons, but our minds as well. We’re ready for anything.”
Conducting missions and learning from the experience of both the Iraqi Army and Golf Company Marines is something that Iraqi soldiers, like Pvt. Munther Kadem Huassen, are looking forward to in the months to come.
“This operation will help build a bridge between our two countries,” Huassen said. “This will be another victory against the insurgents here, because of the new police station. It will be good for the locals in Fallujah as well because of all the new guys who want to join the neighborhood watch. This area of the city is already becoming safer.”
A timeline for maintaining a presence at the precinct is unknown for the Marines with Golf Company; however, they will continue to perform their jobs as long as they are needed, according to Winstead, a Morristown, Tenn. native.
“I love being out here,” Winstead added. “Although this is my first time in Iraq, this is definitely a life-changing place. The unexpected can happen at any moment of any day. Being prepared and aware of our situation here is what will determine the outcome of not only this operation, but our entire deployment.”