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Story by Sgt. Dorian Gardner
Affectionately known as “Operation Jackhammer,” the mission focused on ridding residential areas in and around Ramadi of the security paraphernalia that was once a necessity during more dangerous times in Iraq’s Al Anbar province. The removal of blast barriers and concertina wire not only helps remove the most visible face of war from communities, it simultaneously allows Coalition Forces to improve force protection at Iraqi Security Force outposts.
Following in the footsteps of previous units that began this process, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines is seeing this operation through to the finish.
Marines drove through Ramadi to the outlying suburbs where they dismounted at Outpost 293, an old Coalition position. Traveling with flat-bed trucks and fork-lifts, the Marines quickly began gathering all barriers on sight.
“We are cleaning up the old signs of war, and trying to restore some semblance of normality,” said Capt. Mike Vanderweide, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine’s engineer platoon commander.
While this mission took place within proximity of Ramadi, Coalition Forces are working to demilitarize other cities throughout Al Anbar, to include Fallujah and Karmah.
Anticipating an end of Operation Jackhammer before July, Marines are racing against the clock to remove all barriers and help restore a sense of normalcy within Anbar’s cities.
Story by Cpl. Ryan Turnage
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq –Residents of Karmah, Iraq, a once war-torn city in eastern Al Anbar province, and surrounding areas lack clean drinking water. During a meeting held aboard Camp Ali, Iraq, May 31, 2009, Iraqi and Coalition leaders discussed how to rehabilitate the area’s water treatment plants in order to serve a population of nearly 100,000 civilians.
With the help of the Fallujah embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team; the Sheik council, a group of local tribal leaders; the Director-General of Water Salwa Hady, and engineers Jamal Qassim and Ahmed Eaden, Karmah will soon have a source of clean water, much like that of American suburban areas.
Ideas to reconstruct and build new water treatment plants throughout Karmah were brought to the attention of the Fallujah ePRT by the Iraqi engineers.
“We appreciate the attention being paid to the concern for the people of Karmah,” said Sheik Lawrence, a prominent sheikh from Karmah.
“This is my fourth time in Iraq and I have never seen such teamwork among the ePRT, Coalition Forces, the Sheik council, and the Iraqi government,” said Col. Matthew A. Lopez, commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 6.
They plan to construct seven new larger water treatment plants, which will replace the need for 23 smaller plants that are practically rundown, according to Scott Albert of the Fallujah ePRT. It will also provide new job opportunities, such as construction and maintenance crews, as well as employees to maintain the water treatment plants, he added.
“The engineers came to me with a list of areas that are in dire need of water,” said Albert.
The Sheik council agreed to improve areas based on need, rather than helping just their local areas. Not only will the larger water treatment plants be constructed, but plans to improve the distribution pipelines will also be vastly improved.
“Many of the pipes are above ground and have been tapped into by those in need of water or by insurgents,” said Engineer Kasim.
There are 27 planned projects that will begin immediately after approval. In the near future, distribution pipelines made of rusty iron above ground will be replaced by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes underground.
“This will reduce polluted water and keep people from tampering with the pipes,” said Maj. Ashley Burch, commander of Civil Affairs Detachment 3, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment.
Burch went on to say Karmah has been underdeveloped due to its history of insurgent activity. In the past, civil affairs teams could only carry out smaller short-term project that could be completed in a combat environment. Now that the fighting in Al Anbar province is less kinetic, they can focus their efforts on the true needs of the people, he said.
Every organization involved believes these new facilities, if maintained, will have a long-lasting effect on the population of Karmah. People will no longer need to
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Story and photos by Sgt. Dorian Gardner
KARMAH, Iraq – As children stood peering over short walls and massing in front of Al Khaloud School in Karmah, Iraq, Marines dismounted their vehicles and unloaded 68 sets of Arabic books to provide the children with a new Arabic library, May 24, 2009.
Designed to inspire an appreciation for literature in Iraqi society, Scholastic’s “My Arabic Library” is a reading program that focuses on students at the elementary level. The library includes classroom sets of reading material for the students as well as training materials for instructors. This program supports many schools across the Al Anbar province and approximately 4,000 schools throughout Iraq.
Recently, the Anbar Provincial Reconstruction Team arranged to supply major cities in the province, to include Karmah and Fallujah, with these libraries. After receiving the shipment, Marines loaded their vehicles and hit the road.
After a short convoy to the school, Marines parked two flat-bed 7-ton trucks before others dismounted and removed securing straps that held down the books during their transit from Camp Baharia. This program has worked closely with the Anbar PRT in an effort to better equip Iraqi school teachers with the tools needed to teach the children of Iraq.
“We ordered as many as we could take for the province because we knew it was a good thing,” said Leslie Sabbagh, Public Diplomacy Officer, embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team. “We ordered 240 sets, ranging from 145 to 200 books per set, and distributed them throughout the Iraqi Province.”
Sabbagh went on to say that there is a need for books in Iraq. With a multitude of rebuilding projects taking place throughout the country, school books are not a top priority. These books meet that need.
“It’s been a long time since anyone turned their time toward Karmah education,” said Sabbagh. “Sometimes it comes down to what you can give them. Right now, we can give them books.”
Sabbagh accompanied Capt. Jordan Barnett, the information operations officer for 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, and a small security team of Marines into the Karmah district to deliver these books.
“These books help a lot,” said Lance Cpl. George Walker, Combined Anti-Armor Team White, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, RCT-6. “Because of our help, they are now able to support themselves.”
As Marines began to unload boxes, children rushed to help them carry the books into the school yard. As the day drew on, the pile of books grew larger and larger as Marines carried the last of the books to the school yard.
Though this mission went as planned, it could not have happened without the aid of the Iraqi government, said Sabbagh.
“The government supported and appreciated the initiative,” said Sabbagh. “It couldn’t have happened if the government didn’t want us to do it.”
The following day, Barnett and his security team went into Fallujah and Saqlawiyah to deliver the remaining books to education supervisors. Considered an overall success, the children’s new Arabic library is one of many developments Iraqi children have to look forward to.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Story and photos by Sgt. Dorian Gardner
KARMAH, Iraq – Iraqi children face many hardships growing up in a country that has seen its share of hard times and strife. With a national medical system trying desperately to meet the needs of its citizens, sometimes outside agencies step in to provide a helping hand.
Such was the case recently when a cooperative effort between Iraqi social workers, charities and the U.S. military brought a ray of hope for a better future to handicapped Iraqi children.
Recently, aboard Camp Baharia, Iraq, a small group of children waited in a small wooden room while next door, contractors put the finishing touches on a collection of orthopedic wheelchairs destined for the children’s’ use.
Since 2005, the non-profit Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids has been working to provide orthopedic wheelchairs to Iraqi kids in need. With an orthopedic wheelchair’s normal retail price nearing $3,000, many families cannot afford to purchase this important commodity for their children.
Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids depends solely on donations to operate, and although the organization is non-profit, it does have its benefits, said Brad Blauser, founder of the organization.
“They [the Iraqi people] see a kid get a wheelchair, and it has a multiplying effect of winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, as well as helping the kids,” said Blauser. “Ninety-five percent of these kids have birth defects. They don’t get the health care here that kids in the [United States] receive.”
Because of its design, kids are able to continue utilizing the adjustable wheelchairs as they grow. With a light, sturdy frame and narrow base, the wheelchairs are easy to navigate around traditionally small Iraqi houses and rugged enough to handle rock-strewn dirty roads as easy as paved roadways. Many of the components on the chair are adjustable, to include the foot rest, the chair backing, seat, head rest and vertical stabilizers.
Blauser and his team have given away more than 600 wheelchairs since their program commenced four years ago. Teaming up with social workers in Fallujah, Blauser was able to find a few more candidates who could use a new wheelchair.
Huda Hatim Muhna, a social worker in Fallujah, worked alongside Blauser and Capt. Jordan R. Barnett Barnett, information operations officer for the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, to ensure a new fleet of wheelchairs found a home.
“All I did was tell her we had some wheelchairs,” said Barnett. “We made it available to them and they made it happen.”
“I am very happy with what the Marines did for us,” said Muhna. “The Marines have offered us another way to help these families.”
Working with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, as well as 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, to help children in the eastern Al Anbar province, Muhna and Blauser have been able to help local Iraqi families find a way to allow their children to enjoy life on the go.
Blauser also has a small group working in Basra, a city located in southern Iraq near the borders of Iran and Kuwait, and also works with an orphanage in Baghdad.
As more and more wheelchairs are needed, Blauser is hoping that one day, enough money will come in so that he may place a mass order at a factory in Iraq. With that, they could provide jobs for local residents and a much quicker turn-around time from ordering to manufacturing and delivering, said Blauser.
As he continues to collect donations and make his stops throughout Iraq, Blauser and his team work hard to ensure that the kids of Iraq may live a life outside the walls of their homes. Whether their difficulties stemmed from a disease such as cerebral palsy, spina bifeda, or the result of an insurgent attack, handicapped children in Iraq have a brighter future due to charitable organizations, Coalition forces and the Iraqi social service system.
Story by Cpl. Ryan Turnage
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – Coming of age in a broken home cluttered with adversity and hard-learned lessons, the struggles of a young corpsman from Regimental Combat Team 6 forged character that has proven useful on his path upward in the U.S. Navy.
Once he realized his life needed direction, Petty Officer 3rd Class Randy L. Nash, Jr., the RCT-6 Regimental Aid Station supply petty officer, focused his efforts toward a new life as a corpsman. Today, he serves as alongside the Marines and sailors of RCT-6, though, not long ago, he was struggling to keep his feet planted in one state.
Nash experienced life on the road at a young age, constantly packing bags and relocating. At age14, Nash entered Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tenn., for the start of his freshmen year. Before the end of his first semester in December of 2000, disputes with his father forced him to relocate to Old Town, Fla.
A difficult home-life led to Nash moving back and forth from Tennessee to Florida, alternating between spending time with his father and his mother. Nash went on to change schools nine times during his high school years, but surprisingly enjoyed the change of scenery each time.
“I’ve always been a ‘people-person’ so I loved changing schools and meeting new people,” said Nash.
Nash eventually planted roots long enough to graduate from Seabreeze High School in Daytona, Fla., where he was living with his mother. He was the only high school graduate in his immediate family
Faced with a challenging childhood, Nash was forced to mature quickly.
“My mother was going through some rough times, so I decided to stay with her rather than further my education,” he said.
Nash’s father, in the meantime, was a recovering alcoholic who was sober for nearly four years. During a brief phone conversation, Nash’s father had spoke of his relapse with alcohol. The next day, Nash’s mother received a phone call from the Madisonville Police regarding his father’s suicide. Though he had just graduated from high school, his father’s death had brought Nash’s life to a screeching halt.
“Times were pretty rough when my father was alive, but after his death I lost sight of any future I might possess,” said Nash.
Consumed by his family’s misfortune, Nash temporarily lost focus of his future goals. Before he knew it, a year had passed and he had done nothing to improve his life.
“I had promised myself that I would help my mom for a little while after I graduated, but then I would either try college or join the military. One day I realized it had already been a year since I graduated and I was nowhere in life,” Nash recalled.
That day, Nash went to a U.S. Navy recruiter’s office and enlisted without hesitation. He went to boot camp in February 2006 at The Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. Nash did not enjoy the winters in Illinois.
“So everyone gets a good mental picture: there was snow everywhere, it was about 10 degrees below freezing, 20 mph winds, and everyone was wearing ski masks; it looked like a terrorist camp,” he described.
Existing traits reinforced by the Navy and discipline instilled in him during basic training increased his potential to succeed in the military. He arrived at the 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., in October of 2006, and left three months later in January of 2007 for a 13-month deployment to Fallujah, Iraq.
“During that deployment I was a general sick-call corpsman, so I did a lot more work with combat operations,” said Nash.
Currently on his second deployment with RCT-6, this time to Camp Ramadi, Iraq, Nash tries to utilize his time off with others who share his love for music. Nash makes time to play his guitar with his band, entertaining Marines and competing in talent shows.
Nash plans to attend a Navy “C” school, an advanced secondary school in which sailors learn more specific skills within their military occupational specialty. Nash went on to say he wants to take the skills he acquired in the Navy and apply them as a civilian.
“I was taking some nursing courses in high school and I want to continue my previous goal of becoming certified,” Nash said.
While he continues to better himself as a Navy corpsman, Nash works towards larger goals, not forgetting the struggles and accomplishments he underwent along the way.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Story and photos by Cpl. Ryan Turnage
Within a few hours, the Marines had set up a tactical combat operations center, an intricate network of satellites, computers and radio assets from which a headquarters controls operations in their area of operations.
A combat operations center is the command and control hub for the regiment; the nexus of coordination where all elements of the RCT deconflict operations and coordinate support for one another. The Marines maintain the ability to quickly set up such a sophisticated center all under the roof of a collapsible tent.
The mission for the Headquarters Company Marines was to select a remote location, post 360-degree security, set up the combat operations center, and take command of operations throughout RCT-6’s area of operations in eastern Anbar province. This operation was geared toward maintaining abilities that are the hallmark of the Marine Corps – their expeditionary skills. The Marines proved they are proficient at operating and exercising command and control of the entire RCT from a remote location.
The Headquarters Company Marines had conducted a similar operation in April, in which they chose an empty location in the desert and set up the forward tactical combat operations center. They controlled all operations in eastern Anbar from within the collapsible tent while the main command center remained on standby, ready to assume control should the tactical command center experience any unforeseen difficulties.
Once on site, the Marines had four hours to unload the equipment, establish communication with the main combat operations center, and gain command and control of the area of operations, said Capt. Aaron Lloyd, the senior watch officer.
The Marines accomplished the mission in less time than the allotted four hours and controlled operations for nearly 24 hours from inside the tent.
It was a true demonstration of Marines maintaining their expeditionary skills, ensuring they have the ability to move rapidly across the battlefield and maintain command and control should future conflicts call for such skills, said Capt. John K. Hood, commanding officer of Headquarters Company, RCT-6.
“This is not only an excellent example of our capabilities as a unit, but it is also training for these Marines for future deployments,” added Hood.
Several Iraqi Army officers, to include Staff Brig. Gen. Bassem Hussein Ali, commander of 1st Iraqi Army Division, stopped by to tour the command center before the Marines disassembled the tents and packed their gear. They were given a detailed description of each Marine’s role in the operation and how to react if that individual can no longer perform his duties.
“Every Marine has a replacement standing by,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Davis, the operations officer for RCT-6.
Although the Iraqi Army officers have all worked in a combat operations center, many have not seen a forward tactical center of this complexity. The concept of mobile combat operations centers could strengthen the Iraqi Security Forces ability to further increase the level of security throughout eastern Anbar province. As Coalition Forces continue its responsible drawdown of troops and equipment, the Marines of RCT-6 continue to prepare for whatever the future holds.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Story and photos by Sgt. Dorian Gardner
Currently serving in Ramadi, Iraq, as the network operations supervisor for Regimental Combat Team 6, Sgt. Victor Arroyo was not guaranteed anything at the recruiter’s office like many other Marines. Managing to enlist even though he was two years past the cut-off age for enlistment, the 34-year-old Marine considers every day in this Marine Corps a blessing.
Shortly after his mother, who had been teaching more than 20 years was laid off, Arroyo, who was born and raised in Bronx, New York, knew that his chances of retaining a position in the school district as a youth counselor were slim. Though his mother was able to find another teaching job, Arroyo saw this as an awakening rather than a misfortune. The Marine Corps was calling.
As a teen, Arroyo was a young Marine cadet, an organization similar to Young Marines. Arroyo participated in field training events and competitions with other cadets throughout the state of New York, and as a cadet, learned how to properly press his utility uniform, shine his boots and utilize the phonetic alphabet and military time.
When he wasn’t taking part in field exercises with the cadets, he was at home in a full house, with his mother and a number of guests. Arroyo did not see much of his father growing up.
“I was angry at my father,” said Arroyo. “I was angry at myself, indirectly influenced by my relationship with my old man.”
Living in a neighborhood infested with violence and drugs, his father was a part of that life. He tried to escape it but no matter what happened, he found his way back, said Arroyo. Although Arroyo was aware of his father’s actions, more positive role models influenced him.
Growing up, his grandfather, a soldier who served in Korea, told Arroyo stories of hard-knuckled Marines and how well they carried themselves on the battlefield and in training. “He used to always tell me to join the Marines; that they are the best,” said Arroyo.
One story in particular stuck out, according to Arroyo. His grandfather had traveled many places in the world and one joint-training cycle alongside United States Marines led to his participation in one of the Marine Corps’ most significant battles during the Korean War.
Arroyo’s grandfather fought with the Marines during the amphibious assault at Inchon in 1950, a battle that resulted in victory and a swing of momentum in favor of U.N. forces during the early days of the Korean War. Arroyo would hear much more about the Marines as time went on.
After high school, Arroyo married and eventually became a father of two. Choosing to stay with his family rather than pursue a career in the military, Arroyo began working with kids. In 1996, he began work at a private facility for emotionally disturbed youth.
“It was something different every day,” said Arroyo. “There was no routine.”
For many years, Arroyo stayed close to the youth in his city, working with gang members and helping troubled youth with their General Education Development test, college courses, and sometimes simply finding jobs.
“I enjoyed what I did but I was looking at the writing on the wall,” said Arroyo. “The New York Department of Education was shaky. The only thing I wanted to do besides work with kids was be a Marine.”
Ten years later, Arroyo was standing outside a Marine recruiter’s office. The afternoon he walked in, Arroyo told the recruiter, “I am 31 and I want to be a Marine.” Arroyo was told to come back tomorrow if he was serious. At 9 a.m., the recruiter walked up to the locked office to find Arroyo standing outside, anxious to follow a dream.
The recruiter began his presentation on what the Marine Corps had to offer. Politely interrupting the Marine recruiter, Arroyo had his own speech prepared.
“I am not 18 years old; I am not a high school senior. I am divorced, I have kids, and I have a career. Can we just pull out the contracts and start signing?” said Arroyo.
After a number of waivers were reviewed and accepted, he was on his way to boot camp. Days before leaving, an early online-survey with his age registered an automatic response letter from the office of former Marine Corps Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.
“We regret to inform you…” the letter read. As he continued reading, the letter explained that age limitations conflicted with his hope to enlist. Ready to set feet on those yellow footprints, Arroyo put the letter back in the envelope and saved it for his return from boot camp.
On January 12, 2007, Private First Class Arroyo walked toward his grandfather in his dress blue uniform, as the honorman of his platoon.
Meritoriously promoted three times, Arroyo moved up in the ranks, taking on more responsibilities as well duties.
Staff Sgt. Juan Angeles, the Regimental Combat Team 6 Information Assurance Chief, has monitored and mentored Arroyo since he came to the operating forces as a private first-class.
“He was locked on,” said Angeles. “He would always take opportunities to direct whatever was going on.”
Not the common Marine, Arroyo’s experience working with others contributed to his ability to lead others in the work space.
“In the rear, even as a private first-class, he would basically take charge of the group,” said Angeles. “He can easily take the lead on anything. I am sure he will excel at whatever he is doing.”
Looking toward the drill field as his next challenge, the man who was told he wouldn’t be able to become a Marine hopes to one day transform civilians into Marines. Now in Iraq, meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant, Arroyo doesn’t see an end in sight for his potential future in the Marine Corps.
Story and photos by Cpl. Ryan Turnage
This day, though, was special because it marked the grand opening of the Secondary School of Al-Zaitoon Exemplary for boys, April 21, 2009.
In previous years, the focus in the eastern Al Anbar province was increasing the security level. Civil reconstruction and plans to improve the quality of life were put on hold. Now that security situation has dramatically improved, the citizens of this area of Ramadi were finally able to finish something they had been attempting to construct for years – a secondary school for boys.
The Iraqis did all of the planning and construction for the school, said 1st Lt. Silas Smith, a Civil Affairs Group team leader with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment. Coalition Forces only helped with some of the funds, he added.
After a brief tour of the structure, Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians gathered in the school auditorium for a performance given by the school’s young attendees.
Several students organized a play depicting the struggles against insurgency. Rules and regulations of the previous provincial government prohibited students from participating in creative arts, but now Iraq’s young generation can show off their talents.
“It’s magnificent that the children can now have plays and show their creative sides. Not too long ago it was prohibited in the schools,” said Mr. Fazel Khalaf Saleh, the Director-General of Education. Fazel went on to say the facility met all of his expectations and is very grateful for everyone’s hard work.
This was the third of four schools Fazel wished to complete and with the Iraqi Security Forces providing a high level of security throughout eastern Al Anbar province and keeping violence at an all-time low, he predicts the final school will be completed within the next year.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Story and photos by Cpl. Ryan Turnage
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – On a September evening in 2007, as the sun began to fade behind the mountainous terrain of southern Afghanistan, Marines of Company G, 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Command, prepared to attack an enemy compound.
Lance Cpl. Andrew M. Crisp, then a private first class, manned a M240G medium machinegun on the turret of the lead humvee in his patrol. As the Marines began their assault on the enemy position, rounds impacted all around Crisp, who was protected by reinforced steel plates on either side of his weapon.
“I was in the lead vehicle. As we came over the hill into the compound, we immediately received heavy machinegun fire from the enemy,” Crisp recalled.
Armor penetrating rounds sliced through Crisp’s steel protection and fragments sliced into his left arm and chest. Despite the injury, Crisp was undeterred and continued to provide suppressive fire for his fellow Marines.
Company G overcame the enemy without losing a single Marine. Crisp was later awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his injuries and the Combat Action Ribbon for his ability to effectively provide cover fire for his Marines during the engagement.
“It shocked me at first, so I only told my dad,” he said. “My dad ended up ‘spilling the beans’ of my injuries to the rest of the family, which resulted in worried family members sending me hundreds of emails.”
Crisp enlisted in the Marine Corps just before graduating from Manchester Central High School in June 2006. For him, the Marine Corps was everything. He knew he wanted to fight America’s enemies and do his part to protect the United States of America.
“I enlisted as an infantryman because I knew that would get me on the frontlines,” said Crisp.
Crisp went on to say his family was uneasy about his decision to enlist because of the kinetic conflicts in the Middle East, but he felt he had to be a Marine and carry on his family’s tradition of service to their country. His father served in the Air Force, one grandfather in the Navy and the other grandfather in the Army. Family reunions were filled with military stories. and Crisp was ready to tell his own.
Now serving in the eastern Al Anbar province with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 6 aboard Camp Ramadi, Iraq, Crisp says this deployment is much different from his previous deployment to Afghanistan.
“Everything has calmed down here in Iraq. [Iraqi Security Forces] are taking control of operations, so the stress level is much lower,” he said.
Crisp’s job has gone from sitting in a turret behind a machinegun to sitting at a desk behind a computer. He monitors the operations being conducted in eastern Al Anbar province, rather than conducting them himself.
“My wife is much happier knowing I’m safer this deployment,” he said.
Crisp and his wife are expecting their first child, a son. They discovered she was pregnant just before he deployed in January 2009. Crisp went on to say even though he has a family of his own now, he has no plans to leave his Marine Corps family yet.
“I plan on reenlisting for another four years and completing the Basic Reconnaissance Course so I can return to my first unit, 2nd MSOB, as a [Force Reconnaissance] Marine,” Crisp said.
After
the Marine Corps, Crisp and his new family plan on staying in North
Carolina near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where he is currently
stationed. He says one day he will share his stories with his son and
encourage him to serve his country, following in the proud footsteps of
his father, and grandfathers.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
Story and photos by Sgt. Dorian Gardner
continues to improve, the final Marine Corps artillery unit to operate its cannons in Iraq,
Battery G, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, is preparing to go
home, signifying a significant change in the nature of the conflict in Anbar.
Three Marine artillerymen currently deployed with RCT-6 were present during the
initial push into Iraq in 2003, and these same men returned with a new mission – to see
the conclusion of artillery’s chronicle in Anbar province.
On March 20, 2003, Coalition forces entered Iraq, beginning an offensive that
focused firepower at specific targets in order to take control of significant strategic
positions. Before this attack commenced, Marines sat for hours waiting at the Iraqi
border, a border covered with M198 howitzers, which was then the pinnacle of Marine
Corps artillery fire power.
Within range of the long-range weapons, U.S. forces struck hard and fast to gain
the advantage and overrun enemy positions.
“It was a machine gun of artillery fire,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Sandoval, Battery G
Section Chief, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, RCT-6. “We were slinging six
rounds a minute. There were three volleys in the air before the first volley even hit the
deck.”
Demoralizing the elite forces on the border, Marines pushed forward into enemy
territory. A week into the fight, Marine artillerymen with the West Coast-based 5th
Battalion, 11th Marines, were 15 kilometers south of Baghdad, said Sandoval.
While Sandoval and the rest of the 5th Battalion continued further south, Capt.
Benjamin Harrison, currently the Battery G commanding officer, went north with 2nd
Battalion, 5th Marines, bypassing Marines engaged in Nasiriyah. One of those Marines
was Capt. Michael J. Carrasquilla, the current RCT-6 fire support coordinator.
During the invasion, Capt. Carrasquilla, a forward observer with 3rd Battalion,
2nd Marines at the time, commented that artillery had no problem living up to its
magnificent history.
“We did what artillerymen always do during a time of war – justify our existence
to the Marine Corps,” said Carrasquilla.
As the fight in Iraq progressed, a new weapon was introduced to Marine Corps
artillery. Replacing the M198 howitzer, the M777 howitzer became the artilleryman’s
primary weapon. Capable of more accurate fire, the M777 was a lighter, more efficient
version of the M198 howitzer.
As time passed, artillery found less room for action. Enemy combatants used
crowded suburbs and every-day clothing to blend in with the local populace, limiting an
artilleryman’s ability to fire without causing significant collateral damage. This is always
a concern when considering a fire mission, according to Harrison. “We place more
restrictions on ourselves in order to not cause more damage and maintain support of
the civilian population,” he said.
But soon artillery faced a new restriction. It wasn’t the enemy’s use of urban
areas that prevented fire missions; it was the changing nature of the conflict in Iraq. As
the war continued, the level of violence reached new lows and the need for artillery fire
drastically diminished. With Coalition forces support, the Iraqis built an ever more
independent and capable army and police force. In response, Coalition forces began a
responsible drawdown of troops. Additionally, combat outposts previously occupied by
Marines were handed over to Iraqi Security Forces.
Though the kinetic aspect of artillery’s involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom
has significantly decreased, artillery commanders are still assisting in civil affairs and
have played a valuable role in helping Iraqis reconstruct their society.
Since their arrival at Camp Al Taqaddum, Battery G has fired numerous illumination
rounds in support of nighttime operations. But now, with levels of violence reaching
new lows, the Marine Corps is ready to send its artillery home.
“As a whole, in 2003, we came here to liberate a country,” said Carrasquilla. “In
2009, we are here to help the people of Iraq develop a self-sustaining country … we are
helping the people of Iraq develop a new way of life.”
Even while preparing to withdraw the last of Marine Corps artillery from Iraq,
artillerymen are preparing for new missions wherever they are ordered to go.
“We will be just as efficient as we were against the common enemies of the Iraqi
people,” said Harrison. “Our tactics will adapt as Marines do.”
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