8 posts tagged “2/6”
Recently, Mr. Richard Oppel, Jr., was embedded with RCT-6 and toured the city of Fallujah with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines during Operation Alljah. Yesterday, the New York Times released his article on the front page.
From roadside bombs to small arms fire to rocket attacks, Iraq can often be a dramatically unstable and dangerous place where enemy fighters hide amongst innocent civilians.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, are letting technology be their guide in the effort to separate the terrorists from the Iraqi innocents.
A key asset in this effort is the Biometrics Automated Toolset. This high-tech system was initially fielded to identify people brought to military detention centers, according to the International Biometric Group in New York, which does work for the Department of Homeland Security and other federal clients. Over time, however, BAT has becoming a valuable and widely-applied system database used every day by many units, including the Camp Lejeune-based “Ready Battalion.”
“The BAT system is a computer system that identifies people and makes a record of said individual,” said South Brunswick, N.J., native Cpl. Jonathan H. Rudolph, the BAT system noncommissioned officer with 2/6. “The system includes a laptop with the BAT software, a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner, a camera and an ID card printer.”
The ID badges are provided to all citizens residing within the city. By controlling the routes in to and out of the city via entry control points, or ECPs, and only providing Iraqis identified as Fallujah residents with badges, it creates an obstacle to terrorists posing as residents.
“With the occupation here, badges have become part of the Iraqis’ way of life,” Rudolph said. “Traveling to another city or just the other side of Fallujah, the citizens need the badges we create to pass through ECPs manned by either Marines or (Iraqi Police).”
Marines posted at ECPs throughout the city have BAT system capabilities. Although these Marines don’t create the
“With this badge we can see all their info, such as when and why the have been detained in the past or if he’s a known informant,” said Lance Cpl. Chris T. Neunriter, one of the BAT system operators.
"This is the quickest and most convenient way to see if a person is shady or not,” said Cpl. Josslyn D. Selzer, the corporal of the guard at an ECP in the city. “If we run someone’s badge number and they pop positive on a threat status, we take them in.”
The ID badges and BAT system are the primary line of the strategic defense of the people of Fallujah, Neunriter explained.
“In the long run, I can see the BAT (system) become a concrete foundation for a future Iraqi identification system,” Rudolph said. “It won’t be anything like Social Security numbers that Americans have, but it’s a solid start.”
The small number of Marines operating the BAT systems have completed, updated and renewed over 5,200 ID cards since the beginning of June. While cooperation with the identification system is not mandatory, Brown said most Iraqis submit to the system willingly with the goal of a peaceful Fallujah on their minds.
“The one thing that stands out the most in my mind is the enthusiasm of the local Iraqis. You can tell they want their neighborhoods back,” said Brown. “Many of them are willing to do whatever it takes to provide a safe environment for their friends and families to live and work in. It’s a good feeling to know that we are part of something that will change the future of this country, to see the city in the hands of the people. That’s where it belongs after all.”
Our correspondent with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, Cpl. Joel Abshier, recently wrote an article explaining the whys and wherefores of the ongoing Operation Alljah in the city of Fallujah.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, recently completed another phase of Operation Alljah here June 30. The Marines, working with Iraqi soldiers and Iraqi Police, worked attentively to fortify an abandoned Iraqi home that later became one of many Iraqi Police precincts in the city.
The mission of Operation Alljah is to provide stability and protection for the citizens of Fallujah. Sectioning the city into precincts, Marines work with the Iraqi Police and Army to set up police stations where Iraqi civilians come in to receive identification cards, food, reimbursements and a chance to join the neighborhood watch program.
One of the goals for the Spartans of 2/6 is to change the terrain within the city to throw off the Anti-Iraqi Forces. In doing so, it will allow the citizens of Fallujah to support and defend themselves when forces leave the area of operation.
“Our ultimate goal is getting the enemy out of the city,” said Capt. Mark C. Cameron, assistant operations officer
for 2/6. “Or at a minimum, not allowing them to operate in the city without dire consequences, such as being arrested, captured or killed. We’ve changed the terrain to favor the defenders.”
Operation Alljah is a multi-phased operation, with different portions of the city targeted for partitioning by Coalition Forces at each phase of the operation. Erecting blockades and barriers to control the vehicle traffic of each area is the first step. Once established, forces move in, gain a foothold and begin assisting the residents within the respective districts.
“We’re giving (the residents) a certain amount of security that will allow the operation to be conducted,” Cameron said. “At the most fundamental level, we are building up a neighborhood watch. It’s not the same kind of neighborhood watch that you would see in the States though. Here, they are involved in actual operations and assist the Iraqi Police in dealing with the anti-Iraqi forces.”
The operation itself is a borrowed concept from what 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, did in the city of Ramadi.
“We’re basically doing the same thing,” admitted 1st. Lt. Justin Hunter, commanding officer of 4th Platoon, Company C, Combat Engineer Battalion, attached to 2/6. “It’s great in theory and it’s bold. Hopefully this will give that last little bit of pressure onto the local population to go ahead and take charge.”
The neighborhood watch was created to help security for the residents in the city. “Who better to defend a certain piece of terrain than the people who live there? They have a greater appreciation for the area and also have more situational awareness and understanding of who lives within that area. They are a large asset in this operation,” said Cameron.
Marines with Company E, 2/6, have an established area, Observation Post Fenton, located next to the new precinct that provides added security against terrorists from within and outside Fallujah.
“For our end state, we want to hand over the city to the Iraqi Police when their level of capability in dealing with consistent, multiple planned attacks is steady,” Cameron said. “In time they will be able to stave off any AIF without the aid of 2/6.”
Other entities, such as combat engineers, police and military transition teams, and civil affairs Marines attached to 2/6 assisted in the development of the precinct.
“The enemy hasn’t and won’t be able to effect our level of success or our will,” Cameron admitted. “We’re not slowing down our pace anytime soon.”
Rolling around in the desert 24/7 with an insane patrol schedule that doesn't have any scheduled breaks makes for a hectic life. Cpl. Joel Abshier talks about how one of the companies in his battalion, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, took a "day off" for a little relaxation in observance of Father's Day:
“Most of us don’t get a chance to see each other,” admitted Lance Cpl. Adam E. Chavez, a field radio operator with the company. “Everyone is constantly in and out from missions, so it’s nice to have a chance to sit down and relax for once.”
Food was provided for the Marines, including steaks, hamburgers and plentiful non-alcoholic beer.
“It’s better than nothing,” one Marine said after digging a “near beer” from an ice-laden cooler. Under a canopy made of camouflage netting, dozens of Marines within the company ate, drank and took the weight of Iraq off their proverbial shoulders.
“Today is to help build up morale,” said Sgt. David Soto Jr., Weapons Company police sergeant and father of two. “Everyone here works extremely hard and having a day off was the perfect thing this company needed.”
Grilling over 200 steaks on a metal barrel-turned-wood-burning grill, 1st Sgt. John E. Sackett asked everyone who passes, “You hungry? Come and get a plate.” The relentless tactics reinforce thoughts of second helpings while Marines relaxed, shared stories and generally made the best of being deployed to a country where the summer day-time temperature averages around 110 degrees.
“We’re going to be here all day and night,” said Sackett, the company first sergeant. “We won’t close this down until everyone returns from their missions. If it takes us past midnight, we’ll still be here.”
Father’s Day is often associated by celebrating the day with immediate families. Deployed troops, however, regardless of branch, are unable to spend such times with their loved ones.
“This is the closest thing we have to family out here,” Soto said as he motioned to a group of Marines over his shoulder. “We are making the best of what’s available. But what I wouldn’t give to see my kids back home.”
Soto and many other Marines within the battalion have children back home, but those who don’t have children yet weren’t deterred from celebrating the day. Many used their free hours to make phone calls home to wish their fathers a happy Father’s Day.
Although not a father yet, Chavez explained that it will change very soon. “This is kind of my first Father’s Day. My wife is in the third trimester of her pregnancy. This is just another reason to miss home.”
Cpl. Joel Abshier once again has sent us a set of candid and revealing photos about living life at one of the many observation posts placed strategically throughout Fallujah. He has also penned a few words about what it's like going day to day "outside the wire," simultaneously trying to live your life and conducting a difficult counterinsurgency.
Marines and corpsmen huddle around a TV watching the 2006 film “Blood Diamond,” one of the few DVDs they have on hand at Observation Post Burgess. Marines not engaged by the movie are either catching up on sleep, writing letters home or, more importantly, manning one of the many required duties within and around the observation post.
OP Burgess, riddled with holes from gunfire from years of attacks, is located in the heart of Fallujah. The building Marines occupy is surrounded by large cement barriers, and its windows are barricaded by sandbags. Marines with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, live and work out of the OP to maintain overwatch within their designated area of operation. They keep an eye peeled both for insurgent activity and to cover the backs of the Iraqi Security Forces operating in the city.
Working directly with the “Spartans” of 2/6 are Marines with Combat LogisticsBattalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Daily tasks for these support Marines include, but are not limited to, fortifying structures and providing routine maintenance in the area surrounding both the compound containing the Fallujah district Iraqi Police headquarters, or the Joint Command Center, and OP Burgess.
“This area of Fallujah is a very valuable piece of real estate,” said Capt. Siu K. Cheng, Echo Co. commander. “It is because the OP is close to the JCC.”
Other than Coalition Forces, the JCC, across a courtyard from OP Burgess, houses many prominent individuals such as the mayor of Fallujah and Iraqi Police chief Col. Faisal. Living and working from the JCC, Marines attached to RCT-6 also train hundreds of Iraqi Police officers to patrol and work within the streets of the city.
“This place is definitely a high (profile) target,” said Warminster, Pa., native Lance Cpl. Joseph V. Mahon, Jr., a food service specialist with 2/6, who has been at the OP for nearly one month. “Marines move in and out of here a lot. I’ve been here so long because Marines have to eat, right?”
Traditionally, observation posts don’t have warm food prepared by their very own cook; however, since the Ready Battalion took over this area, many “remodeling” changes occurred.
“You should have seen this place before we got here,” said 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Lourenco, a mortarman with Echo Co. “There was nothing here. Since we arrived, we have installed air conditioners as well as hooked up a chow hall.”
The East Hanover, N.J., native continued to explain that a lot of Marines are going to their bases’ gyms, dining in their respectively large dining facilities and showering regularly. At OP Burgess, the Marines are not so fortunate. Portable toilets are a luxury here.
“You get used to it after awhile,” said 22-year-old Lance Cpl. Andrew M. Adams, a machine gunner with the company, who hasn’t had a shower in over 10 days. “That is why we have these,” he said, as he held up a package of baby wipes.
The dining facility, dubbed “Chow Hell,” was run solely by Mahon before another Marine from RCT-6 showed up to help with the work load. Getting one hot meal a night is more than many leathernecks receive when sitting on one of the many other observation posts scattered throughout Fallujah.
Although air conditioners and warm chow are now regular features at OP Burgess, they are still vulnerable to power outages.
One minute, during the film, a Marines commented, “Jennifer Connelly is definitely in my top ten,” and the next minute the power went out. The audience of Marines erupts in unison in disdain.
Life may not be as normal at OP Burgess as the Marines may want, but Lourenco summed up the situation by concluding, “It’s not about where you are. It’s about who you’re with. And we have a good group of guys here.”
2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, also has an embedded photographer, Roslan Rahman from Agence France Presse. He has been out with the battalion for the past few days snapping photos. They too have been run on the Iraq Slogger blog. The journalist with Rahman, Paul Schemm, has also published an article on 2/6's operations in downtown Fallujah.
Take a peek! Should be seeing some reportage from the print reporters we've got embedded soon.
The PSD Marines, no matter what unit they belong to (RCT-6 has its own PSD), attend certain training evolutions specific to their jobs: protecting VIPs. Not congressmen or other luminaries, but the commanders of the units to whom they belong. It may seem a little strange, that a commander would have his own personal security detail, but the Marine officers out there, usually lieutenant colonels and above, are the big brains behind what we do out here. They oversee planning and execution of the missions we undertake out here in order to root out the terrorists in our area of operations.During the course of a standard week, the detachment provides transport for the battalion commander and his staff to many places, including the weekly meetings as well of tours of the region for which his battalion has responsibility.
The Marines were jovial as they cracked jokes and talked amongst each other before arriving near the main gate, where they all dismounted their vehicles to load their weapons. The sounds of 5.56 millimeter and .50 caliber rounds entering the chambers of their respective weapons sent a deafening realization of the situation. At this point the mentality of the Marines became strictly business.
The commanders are out non-stop, inspecting their Marines' positions, attending meetings with local leadership and generally making their presence known. This means their PSD Marines are out with them. They work hard to ensure they are always ready for anything.“Our mission is providing the safe and successful travel for the battalion commander to our unit’s battle spaces,” said Staff Sgt. Jeffery S. Benkie, the PSD platoon commander.
“Many people think PSD just goes from point A to B. We handle every convoy as a combat patrol,” Benkie, 34, of Rio Vista, Calif., said. “If we are engaged, we will return fire. We won’t run from a fight.”
With more than 40 lbs. of gear attached to their flak jackets, including smoke and fragmentation grenades, as well as magazines full of ammunition, they remain ready for anything.
You can read the rest of the story here.Their preparation paid off April 18. The detachment was driving down a road they have traveled numerous times before when they encountered one of the most effective enemy weapons in : the improvised explosive device, or IED.
“We were blown the hell up,” Benkie said candidly. “Apparently if we were closer to the actual IED, we would not have walked away as well as we did.”
An IED detonated directly on the side of one of the Humvees, sending an echo bouncing off the quiet deserted streets of Fallujah. Somewhere between 80 to 100 meters behind the downed Humvee, the following vehicle in the convoy was hit with fragmentation, said Sgt. Michael J. Fejka, a vehicle commander for one of the Humvees.
Once the smoke cleared, Benkie instantly pulled his gunner, Pfc. John L. Chance, 22, down from the gun turret. Chance, of , and other turret gunners have a special set of ballistic protection designed to shield them from enemy fire and explosions. In this attack, it may have saved his limb.
“His arm was hit by some shrapnel, but he’s doing okay now,” Benkie said. “If it wasn’t for his arm protection, who knows what could have happened.”
By the way, the music in the flash presentation is "300 Miles to Tehran", composed and performed by Vox's own Blair. He gave us permission to use his music in our videos, and we are taking that permission and running with it. He cranks out some great music. Make sure if you want to use the music you obtain Blair's permission first.
I'll be honest about something that I've mostly been obfuscating for awhile now: There's really only one Marine who updates this site, and it's ... well, me. I bring it up because we have had a torrent of work here over the past week or so which has ultimately hindered my ability to get out and snap photos and get blog fodder. Not to mention we've had several combat correspondents coming into theater who have needed some time to get acclimatized to the tempo here. I think we're starting to hit a stride, though.
With that being said, we have an update today! Long-awaited and long-delayed, but one of our combat correspondents, Cpl. Joel Abshier, recently arrived with his battalion, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, to the country. He brought with him some photos he snapped while he and his fellow Marines were waiting for the buses that would take them from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to Cherry Point, N.C., to catch the big military bird to their connecting flight that would take them to a stop in Europe (either Ireland or Germany), ultimately landing in Kuwait. From Kuwait they catch a connecting flight that lands them at one of the larger bases in Iraq.
Saying farewell to a loved one in order to deploy, at least in my experience, is something that doesn't hit you right away. There is a little bit of time there in the beginning of the deployment where you're too excited and overwhelmed and nervous and worried to think about folks back home. I'm sure individual mileage varies. But after awhile life here becomes just... your life, and you start to think about all the good things that got left behind while you went away to do your duty. That is when the "missing you" kicks in. For some it's a day; for others it's 2 months. Regardless, it happens. What makes it a noble longing is that every single service member who deploys at this point in our country's history knows that they will more than likely be leaving at some point to answer his nation's call to duty.
It takes moral courage to keep working, keep moving toward the objective, keep putting yourself in harm's way day in
Regardless, though, each of us straps on a rucksack, boots and a helmet for the same reason: this is why we joined. We joined to be of service to our families, our communities and our country.
So please remember when you're watching the news or reading the paper, we are people over here doing a difficult jobto the best of our abilities. We are led by some of the greatest wartime leadership the world has ever seen. We understand the complexity of the fight, the difficulty of the mission, but still we are intent on seeing it through to a place where victory and "mission complete" mean the same thing.
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