By Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bortz, RCT-5
CAMP RIPPER, Iraq (June 30, 2008) -- Despite a dust storm that covered the camp here June 30, Marines quickly unloaded the recent shipment of care packages from one of the many support groups in Southern California that work to keep the morale high for the Marines and sailors with Regimental Combat Team 5.
One of the groups that support the Marines of RCT-5 while they are deployed is the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.
“The purpose and mission of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group is simple, support and care for our Fifth Marines, sailors and their families when deployed or at home,” said Pete Hammer, president of the group and a retired Marine.
Groups such as the Dana Point 5th Marines Support Group; Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise; and the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club have sent hundreds of care packages in support of RCT-5 since it deployed to western Anbar province, Iraq, in January.
Items in the care packages range from candy to socks to movies and always help raise the morale of the Marines here. Many of the care packages also include letters from children who wrote the letters as part of a class project at their school.
“I really like the letters from the kids,” said Lance Cpl. Stewart Peterson, 22, an administrative clerk with Headquarters Company, RCT-5, who spent two months at Combat Outpost Timberwolf. “I have my own kids, but they are not old enough yet to write.”
Support from groups and communities near Camp Pendleton, Calif., is not new for RCT-5 and the battalions that are apart of it. Since 2004, the Dana Point 5th Marines Support Group and Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise have been sending care packages and supporting service members and families with RCT-5.
“In November of 2004, we adopted 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and celebrated Christmas 2004 with the military families,” said Cynthia Martinez, founder and president of Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise, a military outreach in San Clemente, Calif., that is dedicated to supporting troops and their families. “(We) have supported 5th Marine Regiment ever since.”
To get the items needed to fill the care packages, the groups will often look to the local communities for donations. In addition to collecting donations, the groups conduct fundraisers and events such as car washes to raise money to purchase additional items and cover the shipping costs of sending the packages overseas.
Several local businesses have joined in as well to help raise money and collect items. One restaurant exchanges appetizers for donated goods, and another restaurant donates a $1 every time a certain menu item is ordered.
Collecting items for the care packages and raising money for the shipping cost is only part of the job that the support groups have to do in order to get the items to RCT-5. The items still need to packaged and shipped, which includes filling out custom forms for every box.
“I plan ahead and have the custom forms and labels filled out in advance,” said Martinez. “It took us three and a half hours to set up and organize, and (the next day) it took us four hours to package and to send out the care packages.”
All of efforts of the groups and those who have contributed to the care packages have not gone unnoticed by the service members of RCT-5.
“Support like this from the home front is humbling,” said Lt. Col. Robert “Ogre” McCarthy, executive officer, RCT-5. “To know there is such a ground swell of support at home only makes us stronger. All of our Southern California supporters are rock stars.”
By Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson, RCT-5
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, IRAQ (June 28, 2008) – A new internet and phone center for service members to communicate with their families enjoyed a grand opening here June 28.
Service members gathered around to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by Lt. Col. Russell E. Smith, 43, commanding officer, 2nd Light Amored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, for the new Curtis T. Rinker Building.
“It was a perfect idea to build a new center because there was limited phones and computers (here before), but now we don’t have to wait as long,” said Pfc. Brian D. Ahern, a field radio operator with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd LAR. “It’s a great way to contact family and friends.”
The new internet and phone center was named after Gunnery Sgt. Curtis T. Rinker, 36, company gunnery sergeant, H&S Co., because of his hard work building the center, which took about a month to complete. Rinker, who is from Red Bake, N.J., was helped by Cpl. Mehmet S. Bayar, 22, from Orlando, Fla., and Cpl. Jacques P. Duplantis, 24, from Houma, La., who are both company clerks with H&S Co.
“This was Gunnery Sgt. Rinker’s (hard work),” said Smith, from Rochester, N.H., before cutting the ribbon. “I know that this building will be here for a while, and service members are going to contact their families better because of his efforts.”
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Pfc. Jonathan R. Payton, 20, a motor vehicle operator with H&S Company, and Ahern, had the pleasure of being the first to sign the log book of the new phone center. The signing represented the Marine Corps tradition of placing junior Marines first.
“I was honored that I got to help open the new center,” said Ahern, 22, from Olympia, Wash. “I’ve never had an opportunity do something like that. It was pretty cool.”
The service members toured the new center, which now has more than 16 computers and 10 phones. Upon entering the building, service members were greeted by a large “2D LAR” painted on the floor.
“It’s a sense of mission accomplishment knowing that we’re able to get the job done building this new center,” said Duplantis. “I take care of junior Marines before myself, and I’m glad to help Marines communicate with their families.”
Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson, RCT-5
NUKHAYB, Iraq (June 24, 2008) – Marines with Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 visited the town here June 24 after assuming operations from Team Mustang, 2nd LAR.
“It’s been awhile since Coalition forces have been in that area,” said Capt. Steven M. Sutey, commanding officer of Alpha Company. “We’re there to integrate security in the town with Coalition and Iraqi forces.”
During the mission, Sutey, 31, from Pittsburgh, and members of SEAL Team 3, visited the mayor of the town, Sheik Lawrence Mutib Hazan, and discussed ways to better the town and living conditions of the people.
The service members patrolled the town visiting the school, Iraqi police station and the food distribution center while conversing with the leaders and workers on what they could do to improve the security of the town and the lifestyle of residents. During the tour, the Marines also filled the town’s water tank and donated soccer balls to the school.
“I really appreciate the assistance the Coalition forces are providing the town,” said Hazan, 55, during the meeting. “They’re welcome here anytime.”
While on patrol, the Marines and sailors inspected the town for a planned project to repair the well that supplies the town with water and the generators that supply the town with power. Sea Bees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17 will assist with the operation to repair the town’s most valuable resources. According to the Marines, the operation will make an impact on the town.
“Supplying water (and power) and building upon the security being carried out will really help these people as they rebuild their country,” said Sgt. Evan D. Smith, a scout team leader with Alpha Co.
The company plans to assist the Iraqi Police, fund the school and create a partnership with the town as the road towards transition of authority to Iraqis draws near.
“I look forward to seeing the progress made. It will make me proud that I was part of something good,” said Smith, 21, from Monticello, Ind. “It’s excellent to see a difference being made.”
by Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson, RCT-5
RUTBAH, Iraq (June 23, 2008) – In the midst of the 1970s and 1980s, people of Cambodia were enslaved, taken out of their homes to be tortured and slaughtered by orders from the infamous dictator Saloth “Pol Pot” Sar, said Cpl. Seth Chimm, Biometrics Automated Toolset supervisor for Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5. Chimm’s family overcame that fear and escaped the wrath of the savage leader to raise Chimm, who became one of “the Few and Proud.”
Born in a refugee camp in the Philippines, Chimm joined the Marines to serve the United States after the U.S. helped save his family.
“America gave my parents a chance to raise me like a normal kid away from all the chaos and violence,” said Chimm, 24, who grew up in Chattanooga, Tenn. “My family was lucky to be saved like they were, and I wanted to repay America for what it did for us.”
During the time Seth’s family lived in Cambodia, they lived in constant fear of the old regime. Every day they were witnesses to corruption and violence until they knew they had to escape or they would be next.
“My parents spent two years on the run to get away,” said Chimm. “The whole time they suffered to try and get from the bad to the good.”
Seth’s parents finally arrived in the Philippines. With a little help from the Salvation Army and a group from a church, his parents and he were given an opportunity to live in the United States.
“When we first came to America, we were living in a two bedroom house with two other families,” said Chimm. “The Salvation Army gave us clothes and money for food; they were great people.”
The family was living happily together in Chattanooga. His mother and father were both working full time at a rope factory to raise Seth in the home of which they dreamed.
After graduating high school, Chimm attended community college until joining the Marine Corps at age 20. According to him, he felt he had a debt to repay after all the blessings the country had bestowed on his family.
“I wanted to give back to the military of the country that has given us so much,” he said. “I know that someday down the road, I will meet a child kind of like me and help him like so many people helped me.”
Now on his first tour in Iraq, Chimm extended to deploy with Mike Battery to help rebuild the city of Rutbah, Iraq. He currently creates identification cards for the people of the town.
“Chimm is an awesome Marine and person,” said Staff Sgt. Logan M. Johnson, 28, patrol master of Mike Battery from Cleveland, Tenn. “It’s very respectable to put himself in a situation to give back to the United States. He came to Iraq to help how the people of Cambodia should’ve been helped.”
Chimm plans to leave the Marine Corps and return to school to pursue a career in networking when his unit returns to the U.S. Although he is departing, he will never forget how much of an honor it was to serve his country.
“Growing up, I always understood what my parents were talking about when telling stories back in Cambodia,” he said. “The Marine Corps helped me fight to prevent another dictator from controlling the people.”
Cpl. Erik Villagran, RCT-5
HIT, Iraq – Marines here played the role of policemen by following one lead to another to bring down criminals and make the area safer for everyone.
Marines with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 apprehended four known insurgents during an operation here June 21.
“We were doing an intelligence-driven raid,” said Sgt. Rick D. Burke, 22, a squad leader with Company I from Vancouver, Wash. “We have a target list we’re going after. All the individuals we’re looking for are known insurgents, so we’re trying to round them up one at a time.”
Marines began the day in search of one of the individuals on their list. With the help of intelligence, they were able to identify the area where they could find their target.
As Marines made their way through the roads in Iraq, they encountered a disabled vehicle. They identified the driver as one of the men on their list.
“We did a snap (vehicle checkpoint),” Burke said. “Once we confirmed he was our man, we detained him.”
The luck Marines had on finding their first target foreshadowed the day the Marines were going to have.
Once they had him detained, Marines called the Iraqi Police for assistance in interviewing the detainee. The police obliged and arrived shortly after.
“They were very helpful because they know the area better and crowd control is easier if we have (Iraqi policemen) out there,” Burke said. “With there help, we were able to pull more information from the detainee which led us to more guys.”
Marines raced to another location after the detainee gave them information about the whereabouts of other insurgents. Although Marines found nothing at the first home, they were not dissuaded. They again received information from the detainee about another home and they were off to the races again.
At the second home, their quick reaction was rewarded. Marines carefully searched each room for weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive device-making materials and other contraband.
“We found an AK-47, a bunch of loaded magazines, a shotgun and loose rounds for other weapons,” said Lance Cpl. Sean W. Ward, 23, a team leader with Company I from Hoffman Estates, Ill.
The Marines documented everything they found in the home and snapped photos of all the evidence they found. The procedures Marines followed will be pivotal when the detainees are taken to court.
While Marines in the home collected evidence, other Marines identified three more known insurgents who were taken out of the home. They too were detained on a day that began with one target and ended with a total of four insurgents detained.
“I was surprised with the turnaround time,” Burke said. “Usually we go out and grab one guy. This time we got four.”
Marines were happy with how well things turned out. They accomplished their mission quickly and proficiently and helped make Iraq safer.
“The squad feels good because we have a defined mission and were going out, executing and getting positive results,” said Burke.
by Cpl. Erik Villagran, RCT-5
HADITHA, Iraq (June 20, 2008) -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 recently escorted Navy Lt. Benjamin D. Wind to the home of a special patient here.
Wind, the battalion surgeon, scheduled a trip to visit a little girl and local celebrity named Amenah Al’a Thabit.
Amenah, 3, was the first of three Iraqi children in the area to receive surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. If the condition had not been treated, the result would have been fatal, Wind said.
Fortunately, thanks to around $28,000 in private donations, Amenah and her mother, Maha Muhamed Bandar, were able to travel to the United States for her surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
“There is one common trait amongst all that bind human civilizations, and that is our love for our children and wishes for their good health and prosperity,” Wind said.
That common trait has led to Coalition forces helping more children with similar conditions until the new Haditha Hospital is finished and able to support these kinds of surgeries in the future. With the help of the local Iraqi government, they have helped two more children in the Haditha area and explored new ways to provide children in Iraq the medical treatment they need, including seeking help from surrounding countries like Jordan.
“These cases help to educate the Iraqi people about the presence of world-class medicine local to this region within their cultural boundaries, and that it is obtainable,” Wind said.
Amenah’s case has shown how successful the program can be. The results of the surgery were displayed during the Marines’ visit as Amenah played with her sisters.
“She was a vibrant young girl, running around with her siblings and actively engaging with the multiple guests as any young child should be,” Wind said.
Her father, Al’a Thabit Fattah, said she has not had any major problems since the surgery. During the visit, Amenah could be heard speaking a few English words she had learned when she traveled to the United States. Her father supports the Marines helping the children of Iraq, but understands changes are needed in the country.
“I hope the Marines continue the program,” Fattah said. “I know we need to have better doctors because the Marines won’t be here forever.”
Wind has been amazed by the impact Amenah has made. It has opened the doors for more children to receive medical care that gives them a second chance in life.
“In a country that has seen so many atrocities under the previous regime, as well as empty promises, it was exciting to see that such a small child could empower and invigorate an entire community towards making strides for improvements,” Wind said.
by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray, RCT-5
COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, Iraq (June 26, 2008) – Marines, or “Warlords” as they are nicknamed, with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 have recently been conducting proficiency-firing ranges at forward operating bases all over western al-Anbar province, Iraq. The cracks of rifles, the thumps of mortars and the clatter of machine-gun fire echoes through the camps some days.
For one machine gunner, it’s not the machine gun he hears daily, but the whirr of helicopter blades cutting the air.
Lance Cpl. Will Cumming, 20, a machine gunner with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines, arrived here to find himself tasked with an unusual mission for a machine gunner. He took the responsibility of tracking anything and anyone traveling through Rawah by helicopter.
“Cumming gets personnel, equipment and supplies that enter COP Rawah logged in and taken to where they need to go on base,” said Capt. Travis Unser, 31, a forward air controller with the Warlords and Cumming’s supervisor on the flight line. “He also makes sure everything and everyone get out of here on time.”
Cumming directs forklift drivers as they load cargo on and off of aircraft while also ensuring individuals make their scheduled flights. Although Cumming treats both incoming and outgoing flights with the same sense of thoroughness, outbound flights present more room for errors.
“If someone is supposed to come to Rawah and they haven’t checked in with me, it will eventually sort itself out because they have to check in for billeting,” said Cumming, who is from Lexington, Va. “My main concern, though, is outbound traffic because once someone leaves here, they’re out of my hands.”
One of the commonalities of inbound and outbound flights that Cumming always takes into consideration resulted from a past experience that could have ended tragically.
“I try to get the birds off the deck as quickly as possible, because we received indirect rocket fire when we first got here,” Cumming said. “It hasn’t happened since, but I try to always keep in mind that it still could.”
Some days are slow for Cumming because of delayed flights or no flights at all, but every so often he runs the flight line for more than a day straight.
Cumming, although having no prior training, has made an impact on those with whom he works. Unser, as well as pilots that make frequent rounds through the area, have noticed his knack for the job.
“He’s been doing very well, and he’s a very smart Marine,” said Unser, who is from Tulsa, Okla. “We have received compliments from pilots on how smooth things run here. We’ve gotten pretty proficient at what we do, but eventually the Marine Air Wing will send personnel to take over our jobs.”
When an air wing Marine comes to replace him, Cumming hopes to go back to what he considers his true calling as a Marine.
“It’s been a valuable learning experience for me, but it’s not something I want to pursue,” Cumming said. “I would like to eventually get back to being a grunt and my original (Military Occupational Specialty), a machine gunner.”
by Lance Cpl. Joshua Murray, RCT-5
Camp Al Qa’im, Iraq (June 23, 2008) – Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5 recently introduced a new way for Marines’ parents to learn about what’s happening with their sons during the latter’s deployment to western Al Anbar province, Iraq. The Parent Network started shortly before the battalion, nicknamed “Warlord,” left for Iraq and continues to grow.
“We have around 1,000 parents involved in this program, and it’s still growing,” said Sgt. Maj. Howard K. Long, 43, the battalion sergeant major, who presented the idea of establishing the Parent Network. “The Marines can elect up to five people who can receive information from us.”
Mrs. Diane Hanley, the mother of Pfc. Shane Hanley, a rifleman with Company E, is the Parent Network coordinator. She corresponds with the Family Readiness Team of the battalion to address any parental concerns and answer questions to the best of her abilities.
“The network is a way to inform and educate parents of the Warlord’s service in Iraq, so they can better support their sons through an understanding of the military,” said Navy Lt. Joel Degraeve, 40, the battalion chaplain. “If Mrs. Hanley receives a question, she forwards it to us. Some have been concerns, but parents mostly want to know how they can support us.”
As the Parent Network grows, so do the number of inquiries about the battalion. Hanley eventually receives most questions from parents, but the network has grown so large that six individuals across the nation have taken intermediary roles between Hanley and the parents.
“We have parents all across the United States divided into six regions,” said Long, who is from Asheville, N.C. “Each region has its own regional coordinator they can contact for help.”
On their own accord, the parents began coordinating with one another to send battalion-care packages. They have sent boxes upon boxes of useful items to distribute to all of the Marines with the battalion. The chaplain, while visiting Marines for religious services, plans to pass out boxes at every stop.
“Sending battalion-care packages is not something they originally planned to do,” said Degraeve, who is from Chicago. “Every Marine in the battalion will be taken care of in a way because of them. In the short time they have been together, they have shown their commitment to the Warlords.”
Information on becoming a member of the Parent Network and supporting the Marines during their deployment is available on the battalion’s Web site, www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/unitsites/2bn2mar/.
As the group continues to grow, more and more parents all over the United States are learning about their son’s deployment and banding together to take care of the Warlords any way they can.
by Lance Cpl. Paul Torres, RCT-5
RAWAH, Iraq (June 19, 2008) --Smoke and fire damage scars the walls of what used to be the Rawah Post Office.
The office had previously been used as an Iraqi Police post and was part of a Coalition forces post within the city.
After the post was demilitarized, Marines with Detachment 1, Civil Affairs Team 5, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, put together a project to help repair the damages. The contract for the project was signed June 19.
“We are paying (to repair) damages caused by a fire and for repairs that need to be done after the building was used by Coalition forces,” said 1st Lt. Daniel M. Thomas, 24, from Santa Barbara, Calif., who is the team leader with CA Team 5.
After performing a walk through of the compound to evaluate the damage, CA Team 5 chose a contractor to oversee the repairs.
“They will repair the front perimeter wall as well as scrape and repaint the interior, rewire the electricity and fix the bathrooms,” said Thomas.
In addition to repairing the post office, the contractor will also improve the town’s phone center by installing a new generator and adding office spaces.
“Right now, the manager and employees who work at the phone center and post office are working out of a small office with no air conditioning and no consistent power,” said Thomas. “An air conditioner and generator will keep the equipment from overheating and will allow the center to operate on a regular basis.”
The phone center is located in the same compound as the post office and has been operational since January. It is where the local switchboard is managed and provides phone service to the city of Rawah.
“Communication is a significant element to the cities infrastructure and the post office and phone center are the only ones in the Rawah district,” said Gunnery Sgt. Gary, M. Gonzalez, 39, from Alhambra Calif., who is the assistant team leader for CA Team 5. “As of now, the post office is operating out of a nearby house and the phone center is cramped with equipment and workers.”
Upon completion, the post office building will also house office space for the phone center.
“The contract requires the repairs to be completed in ninety days, but this contractor has a good reputation and will probably be finished sometime around mid-August, said Gonzalez.
by Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson, RCT-5
RUTBAH, Iraq (June 20, 2008) – Like the New York City Police Department, the Marines with Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, own the night.
The battery, known as “Excalibur,” entered the town at night and searched a house here for a weapons cache to ensure the safety of the people and to defeat the insurgency.
“This operation was to stop a guy from selling weapons to harm us or the people of Rutbah,” said Pfc. Misael Gutierrez, a radio operator with Mike Battery. “We’re here to save lives.”
Mike Battery is a reserve artillery unit attached to 2nd LAR Bn. as a provisional infantry element in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Marines are currently mobilized in the city of Rutbah to protect the city, the people and assist the Iraqi Police.
“Assisting the Iraqi Police is our main objective out here, but if someone says they have a weapon and are going to sell it, it becomes our business,” said Staff Sgt. Adem V. Bonnilla, logistics staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Mike Battery. “We’re to help the people.”
After the Marines searched the house and detained the suspects, they traveled to the suspected cache area and searched the area. The battery was able to collect enough evidence to hold the suspects for questioning.
“It’s fortunate how much this place has changed, it makes me feel that I’m really here for a reason,” said Gutierrez, 19, from Smyrna, Tenn. “It’s almost at a point to where you could walk down the street and asks for an ice cream without worrying about being shot at.”
Although the city of Rutbah has become safer, the insurgency is still out there and the Marines with the Chattanooga, Tenn., based unit will be there to there to find them.
“I’m really motivated to be here and protect the people,” said Cpl. Steven M. Barrientos, 25, a radio operator from Bethlehem, Pa., with Mike Battery. “I can see the changes in the lives of the people because of our actions fighting the insurgency.”
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American Infidel said:
[this is good]This will make for many happy Marines and Marines families. This is cool for all who got to work on... read more
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[this is good]This is great , what a story of true love of family and country , it's a shame the stupid... read more
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