1/11 Marines reach out to local Iraqis, defend TQ
AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (July 25, 2007) – On an average summer day in July and August, the roiling sun spews out temperatures of more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit onto Al Anbar province. Despite the heat, U.S. servicemembers around the province continue to patrol, looking out for suspicious activity.
Cpl. Thomas J. Griffith
The Marines of 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment defend the region here by frequently patrolling nearby roadways and towns, conducting route security missions and manning the guard posts and entry points.
One of the towns patrolled by the artillery battalion from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., is Al Madinah as Siyahiyah, known to the Marines as “Tourist Town.” Corporal David B. Santy, an infantryman turned intelligence data specialist with Battery C, 1st Bn., 11th Marines, said he and the other Marines tour this area regularly.
“We do that to make sure we’re keeping our presence there – to keep the insurgents out of there and keep it peaceful,” said the Plattsburgh, N.Y., native.
The Marines patrolled on July 25 to conduct a census of the people living in “Tourist Town.” Santy said they also took pictures of Iraqi police hopefuls and recorded the serial numbers from their AK-47 assault rifles.
“Right now nobody there is officially an Iraqi police member,” he said. “They are just guards right now and are not getting paid for what they’re doing…Their only reason to be doing this is their hopes and dreams that one day they will be Iraqi police.”
Often times, the Marines will bring candy or soccer balls to give to the children, medical supplies for the clinics and funds for projects such as the rebuilding of a water treatment facility. It is also not uncommon for one of the families to invite them in for a meal and chai tea.
The commanding officer of the battalion, Lt. Col. Phillip W. Boggs, said his greatest assets are his Marines and that they are well prepared for the task at hand.
“1/11 has about 60 to 70 percent Iraq veterans, so many understand the situation from prior experience, although they also understand the battlefield is dynamic,” said the Greenville, S.C., native. “The maturity of our (noncommissioned officers) is phenomenal.”
Sergeant Mike R. Gonzalez, a patrol leader and Modesto, Calif., native with the battalion, said seeing the way the local Iraqis live adds to the importance of patrolling the area of operations. Many of the houses in the area do not have clean, running water.
“Their living conditions are just really bad,” he said. “We’re giving them things to improve that. I feel that they’re taking us very seriously and know that we mean business. We definitely have a positive impact on them.”
Gonzlaez explained business is not all that is important though. He said it’s important to get to know the people.
“It’s one thing to always talk about business with the people, but they think that’s what you’re all about. I’ll ask them about how their families are and I’ll tell them about mine,” Gonzalez said. “You need to build a better relationship with the people too.”
While patrolling through Quadiciyah July 25, Gonzalez asked an Iraqi man if he had ever seen California on television. The Iraqi man said he had heard great things.
“It’s a culture shock I guess,” Gonzalez added. “I’m only 22 (years old) and we’re halfway around the world talking to people trying to make a difference in their lives.”
Another intelligence data specialist with the battalion, Lance Cpl. David L. Fry, said the most enjoyable aspect of his job is the interaction with the locals.
“It’s interesting to learn a new culture, see what it’s like,” said the Mountain Grove, Mo., native.
Fry, who at times also drives vehicles or mans the crew-served weapons on the patrols, said he takes solace in knowing that he’s helping not only the folks back home, but the local Iraqis as well.
According to Santy, the Marines with 1st Battalion, 11th Marines have a strong understanding of the mission. With the political storm over U.S. presence in Iraq brooding in the states, Santy said he believes it’s even more important to help the Iraqi government stand up against terrorism.
“It’s important for us to be here and not give up,” he explained. “We should stick it out until (Iraq) is well into a political hold and has a good, strong government that can make decisions on its own.”