Marine Corps News Room

http://www.op29online.com/articles/2008/04/09/news/news01.txt

Pfc. Zachary J. Nola
Combat Correspondent

2/7 will be deployed to Afghanistan for seven months and will conduct security operations as well as train and mentor Afghan police.

It is the first deployment to Afghanistan for 2/7, but the Marines of Golf Co. understand the differences from Iraq.

“It’s a totally different area and a totally different language,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher P. Coon, a mortarman with Golf Co.

“Unlike the Iraqis who will shoot and run, the Afghans will stay and fight, so it is important to work with them and convince them to fight with us,” said Coon.

Even though the 2/7 is facing a new mission morale is high and Gold Co. feels that it is ready to meet the challenge.

“They are motivated and put a lot of work into preparing for this,” said Sgt. Maj. Matthew Brookshire.

“I am very impressed with the performance they have put forward in preparing for this mission,” said Brookshire.

In preparation for the mission Mojave Viper training exercises were slightly modified in order to help Marines prepare for situations they may face out in the field.

However, most of the training that 2/7 underwent in preparation for this deployment was business as usual.

“We concentrated on the basics and worked on perfecting the small but important stuff,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher P. Coon, a mortarman, Golf Co., 2/7.

This is not the first for the majority of the Marines and sailors of 2/7 and family members found it a little bit easier to say goodbye this time around.

“There is some anxiety but it’s a little easier because I am more aware of what to expect,” said greg Bardos, father of Cpl. Brandon Bardos, a mortanman with Golf Co.

Adel Sweet, mother of Lance Cpl. Christopher Darr, a Golf Co. assualtman, fought back tears and waved to her son one last time before the buses headed out.

“I’m a little better than I was the first time and I am still proud of him and behind him 100 percent,” she said.