|
Darkhorse Marines Secure Road to Ramadi
CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq, June 15, 2006 A stretch of highway once called IED Alley just might get a new nickname. Maybe something along the lines of Darkhorse Drive. Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, are making steps to secure Main Supply Route Michigan, the highway connecting Fallujah and Ramadi. They built several new observation posts along the way, an area near the Euphrates River with no distinct city lines or local government. The Marines are cutting into insurgents ability to move and plant improvised explosive devices. "Its to keep the major lines of communications open, prevent IEDs from getting in place, so as units transit back and forth its safer, said Staff Sgt. William W. Heidelberger, a platoon sergeant for K Company. Marines live in houses, which have no electricity or running water. They patrol the area, stand watch and labor to improve the post with temperatures exceeding 114 degrees in the sun. Tough living conditions are nothing new for Marines in the infantry company. We do what we have to do to survive, said Cpl. Matthew Brines, a motor transport operator attached to I Company. Theres no amenities like at the forward operating bases, but we have what we need a place to sleep, food, water and relative security. Heidelberger, a 33-year-old from Marvell, Ark., said hes already noticed an improvement in the situation along the highway during the short time since his platoon began patrolling from their observation post, dubbed OP Falcons. So far weve only been here for a day, but weve managed to disrupt enemy activities by maintaining constant surveillance and constant watch, Heidelberger said. As they try to do things, we can interdict them and disrupt and destroy enemy activities. The new positions along the highway enable the Marines to keep eyes on the road for anything out of place. There are signs we look for, a lot of obvious things that tell us if theres going to be an attack, said Cpl. James Walters, 21, from Houston. A common method used by insurgents to attack Marines is planting roadside bombs along the highway. Seven have been found within a 1,000-meter stretch of road, according to Sgt. Joseph Zolnai, a squad leader for I Company. The 22-year-old from Holt, Mich., said the insurgency is more organized in their new area of operations. We deal with coordinated attacks a lot more now, he added. The change of operational tempo is welcome to many Marines in the company, who waited for a good fight since the battalion arrived in Iraq in January. Weve seen more action as a company here in our first four or five days than we did in five months in Amiriyah, said Cpl. Matthew J. Thienes, a team leader with I Company. This place is the hub ... a way different pace and whole different ballgame. The 22-year-old from Lake Elmo, Minn., doesnt mind the extra work, either. Its fine, he said. Were doing our job. Brines, a 22-year-old from White Lake, Mich., spent five months at Camp Smitty driving trucks to re-supply forward operating bases. He also drove for patrols. He got his first taste of enemy contact soon after the battalion shifted forces west. The other day, two IEDs detonated near my truck within 100 meters of each other, he said. Its not natural to have bullets shot at you, but after being a Marine for three and a half years, its kind of exciting. It feels like were actually doing something. The company plans to reach out to the surrounding community and let the citizens know whats going on, make allies and help the local Iraqis help themselves attain some peace and stability in the area. Thats always an ongoing process, Heidelberger said. Were just now getting here and getting our feet wet, so as it develops a little more well see what we can do. Posted by: Bobby 2006-06-16 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=156332 |