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VOLUME 74, EDITION 42
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Desert
Marines continue timehonored tradition| 4A
Training ‘worth every drop of sweat’ | 3A THURSDAY OCTOBER 18, 2012
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Photo by Sgt. Steve Cushman
Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team-1 fire a Javelin Missile at an enemy target during 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division’s company-sized attack Oct. 7.
YUMA, ARIZ. SGT. STEVE CUSHMAN 2nd Marine Division
The landscape is mountainous and arid with temperatures nearing 100 degrees. A large group of Marines crouched low just behind the crest of a ridgeline. They received the signal, rushed over the top, set up their machine guns and laid down a heavy barrage of lead on an unsuspecting enemy. Meanwhile, another group of Marines charged from around the base of the hill to assault the enemy position. Today, the “enemy” is plastic silhouette targets and plywood
bunkers located in the southern Arizona desert. The Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division conducted live-fire platoon and company-sized combined arms attacks Oct. 5 through 7, at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz. The training began Oct. 5, with each platoon conducting assaults with machine-gun support. By Oct. 7, the Marines were ready to conduct a company-sized attack complete with machine-gun support as well as Javelin Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missiles.
“We conducted company-level attacks, using fire and maneuver, and combined arms,” said Capt. Tyler Holt, a company commander. “After completing this training, the Marines understand how to move and work together to accomplish the mission.” The Marines began training and working up to the point to conduct these attacks earlier in the summer at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, doing fire team and squad training. The culmination of training was the company attack. The Marines executed a clearing zone against difficult terrain. “We executed the mission
without dry runs,” said 2nd Lt. Bernardo Garcia, a platoon commander. “It was good for the Marines, especially the smallunit leaders, to get where they needed to be and make adjustments on the fly, which is key to success in combat.” On a lower level, the training taught the Marines to support the unit internally and the importance of communication between the different elements of the attacking force. “We worked with support elements to suppress the targets, which allowed us to move to take out the objectives,” said Sgt. Cameron Golden, a squad lead-
er. “We also learned the importance of communication, even at the lowest level. For example, if a (private first class) isn’t relaying his ammo levels to his fire team leader, and the information doesn’t make it up to the company commander, the commander doesn’t have a clear picture of the combat situation.” After the attacks were completed, the sweat-drenched Marines marched back to the original staging area with their heads held high. “The Marines did very well,” said Holt. “I feel great about the way the Marines executed this training.”
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
Marines help ANSF, Sangin Government stand tall
News Briefs
CPL. TIMOTHY LENZO
Regional Command Southwest
It was seven long months for the Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, but they will soon return home to family and friends from Sangin, Afghanistan. The Marines faced a difficult task at a difficult time for both the Marine Corps and Afghanistan. They watched as temperatures rose to more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit and tensions in the region became more intense with each passing day. “Our primary mission was to develop the capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces,” said. Lt. Col. David Bradney, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 7th Marines. “The second part of the mission was to defeat the insurgency in Sangin, Afghanistan.” For seven months, the Marines worked with Afghan Forces, training the Afghan Local Police, Afghan National Civil Order Police and Afghan National Army soldiers. The Marines partnered with ANSF during training and operations. They continued the work of previous battalions, strengthening the ANSF. “We are trying to develop the capabilities of the ANSF while beating back the insurgency to allow the government of Afghanistan to more proactively govern the citizens of Afghanistan,” said Bradney. The battalion assigned more Marines to train the Afghan forces than any of the previous battalions in the area. They organized an infantry company specifically to work with the Afghan Forces. Through the efforts of the 191 Marines, the Afghan forces received more individualized training. “Most battalions previously came with 60 to 70 Marines devoted to the mission,” said Bradney, referring to training the Afghan forces. “With 191 Marines specifically for the mission, we were able to work with the individual policeman all the way up to the chief of police.” The additional attention helped the ANSF develop an independence from the Marines. “They are able to plan and coordinate amongst themselves,” said Bradney. “We knew they were always able, but now they are more willing to conduct independent operations. Now they go out regularly by themselves.”
Devil Pups celebrate homecoming with win 1B
Photo by Lt. Col. Stewart Upton
The first Sangin District security council meets with local Afghan National Security Forces recently. 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment deployed to Sangin in March and saw a growth in the local Afghan Government and ANSF. The Marines also conducted partnered operations throughout Sangin and the upper Helmand River valley. The battalion operated during the summer fighting season, and the Marines saw plenty of action. They were involved in more than 300 direct firefights and found approximately 300 improvised explosive devices. The battalion suffered 39 casualties and six fallen heroes. “The hardest part is coping with the casualties and the heroes,” said Sgt. Maj. Keith Coombs, battalion sergeant major, 1st Bn., 7th Marines. Coombs had Marines construct a memorial – what he calls an honor garden – to honor the previous battalions that served in Sangin and their fallen brothers. “I wanted to make sure the Marines who came before us would always be remembered,” said Coombs. The Marines faced a difficult situation when they arrived in the spring. Not only were they deploying at the start of the fighting season, but they were arriving fresh off of the heels of controversy involving the Marine Corps and Afghanistan. “We came at a critical time,” said Coombs.
“We needed a unit to come in here and really do it right. The Marines knew they had to do it right. The Marine Corps needed them to do it right, and they did it right.” The battalion knew their actions would be under intense scrutiny, and they couldn’t afford any slip-ups. “Our non-commissioned officers made tough decisions with the rules of engagement and all the things that come with having to make on-thespot calls during firefights,” said Coombs. “It impressed me the most. NCOs making the right call and wanting to do it right every single day.” As the Marines strengthened the ANSF and helped rid the area of insurgent activity, the people of Sangin witnessed positive trends in their security and economy. “A lot of people thought security in Sangin was unachievable,” said Coombs. “They said Sangin couldn’t be tamed. The security couldn’t be good because it was always too kinetic in the area.” With battalion level operations specifically SEE STAND 3A
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