By Sgt. M. Trent Lowry, RCT-5
RAWAH, Iraq -- Like children anywhere, Iraqi students have a bit of a sweet tooth.
To satisfy that sweet tooth, Marines from Provisional Rifle Platoon 3, Regimental Combat Team 5 took a variety of treats to an elementary school here to share with the neighborhood children Nov. 25.
"It was a gesture of kindness and good faith," said Staff Sgt. Jaime Benavides, 32, platoon sergeant for PRP-3 from San Antonio.
The idea to share treats with the children came to the Marines of PRP-3 after multiple patrols in the area surrounding Traffic Control Point 3 on the northern edge of the Euphrates River. The Marines had an abundance of cookies, cupcakes, candy and other sweets provided to them from the dining facility and care packages from home.
"Do we really need to eat all that food?" asked Cpl. Drew March, 24, a fire team leader with PRP-3 from Speedway, Ind. "This was a small thing to do, but I guarantee it made those kids' days."
While the missions for the Marines with PRP-3 have been reduced due to greater responsibility handed to the Iraqi Police, the Marines are still members of the community and wanted to show themselves as generous neighbors. Marines on patrols had also observed some of the neighborhood children acting skittish around Marines, and the leathernecks wanted to ensure the young Iraqis realized the Marine presence is meant to be a positive influence on the town.
"We want the people to see that we're here to help them and that they don't have to be afraid of the Marines," said 2nd Lt. Randall Blowers, 25, platoon commander for PRP-3 from Vernon, Conn.
In addition to distributing the snacks, the Marines also played soccer and joked with the children.
"Obviously they received us well," March said. "One kid came up to (Marines) on security and said, 'When I grow up, I want to be an American like you.'"
While the treats were welcomed by the students at the elementary school, it was also satisfying for the Marines, who had big smiles to match those of the children.
"As much as they always ask for things on patrol, kids are my weakness, so it felt good to help them out," said March, who used his digital camera to record some students saying "Hi Miss Megan" to his sweetheart back home who is an elementary school teacher.
The planning for the visit to the school was the work of the Marines in the platoon, and it showed great initiative on their part, according to Benavides.
"It's good to see the junior Marines taking the ball and organizing this event and taking a leadership role," Benavides said. "All I did was supervise and look over the plan, but we executed what the junior Marines came up with. They got it accomplished safely and with respect to the Iraqis' cultural needs."
"This is good for the Marines who haven't been outside the (camps) much to see that the (Iraqis) are good people," March said.
By Capt. Paul Greenberg, RCT-5
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq.— Reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 based here received an honored guest at their remote desert outpost Nov. 26.
The Honorable Donald C. Winter, the 74th secretary of the Navy, flew from Al Asad Air Base to Camp Korean Village, about 50 miles from the Syrian border, to visit with the Marines, sailors and soldiers based here and to wish them a happy Thanksgiving.
Appointed by the president of the United States as secretary of the Navy in January 2006, Mr. Winter is one of the most senior officials in the Marines and sailors’ chain of command. However, he spoke candidly with the troops and encouraged them to honestly express their assessment of the latest equipment in theater and to convey what additional equipment they need to better accomplish their mission.
After a current situation report from Lt. Col. Geoff Rollins, the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines’ battalion commander, Mr. Winter’s next stop was at the Navy Shock Trauma Platoon’s field medical station on the base.
“I have a special place in my heart for corpsmen,” Mr. Winter told the Navy reservists. Mr. Winter’s father was a petty officer who served as a pharmacy mate during World War II.
The secretary and his staff made their way around the base, traversing the lunar-like surface of the camp on foot. He took the opportunity to address a formation of Marines, sailors and soldiers from a stage which had been built several days earlier out of plywood.
Mr. Winter thanked the troops for their service and emphasized the significance of their contributions in fighting the Global War on Terror. He also pinned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on several Marines and sailors and gave them his official coins.
Lance Cpl. Robert J. Albon, 21, a radio systems communications technician with 2nd Bn., 25th Marines from Brockton, Mass., received his award for displaying technical proficiency far beyond his rank and experience. Albon’s citation stated that he working relentlessly, over 400 man hours in austere conditions, to ensure that the battalion’s communications equipment was ready to support the battalion’s demanding counterinsurgency mission in Iraq.
“It was an honor and very surprising,” said Albon, who did not learn that Mr. Winter was coming to the base until that day. “I was just shocked that I could get my award from someone who is so important in the development on the Navy and the Marine Corps.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Marie was awarded his medal for taking over the role of religious program specialist leading petty officer for the battalion, despite his junior rank. Additionally, Marie dedicated his free time before his mobilization to coordinating the donations of 1,200 bibles from both his church and a non-profit organization.
“Hopefully he didn’t see my knees shaking,” said Marie, 31, a reservist from Unionville, Conn., who is a property and casualty insurance agent in his civilian career.
“It definitely made the event more memorable,” added Marie. “It’s something I’m proud of. It was my first NAM, and the biggest surprise was that it was signed by the Secretary of the Navy. It is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Mr. Winter and his staff then shared an early Thanksgiving with Rollins and his troops at the base dining facility.
“This is an incredible collection of sailors, Marines and soldiers out here in al-Anbar, far from any base of logistical support,” Mr. Winter said of the troops he met and spoke with during his four-hour stay on the base. “They are doing incredible things for our lines of communication with the people of Rutbah.”
When asked what added advantage Marine Forces Reserve brings to the fight in Iraq, Mr. Winter responded, “The reserves gives us an incredible surge capability and the ability to sustain that stature with the level of personnel required. We can tap into skills and experience here that would be difficult to maintain with just active duty. We have succeeded in fully integrating active and reserve forces.”
In speaking of the progress made by the Navy and Marine Corps team, Mr. Winter explained, “We have made incredible strides in the past years. This is evident to those who have had the privilege to come here and see the change. I hope that we will turn over all responsibility to the Iraqis in the near future.”
By Capt. Paul Greenberg, RCT-5
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq.— Reserve Marines from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 shared the tradition of Thanksgiving fellowship with the Iraqi Highway Patrol at a remote desert police station Nov. 23.
The newly-formed IHP and Marines are working in cooperation on a security and stability mission here in western al-Anbar province.
The Marines arrived at the station, about 10 miles east of here, in the late morning. Gunnery Sgt. Lovett, the 39-year-old platoon commander from Massapequa Park, N.Y., and Sgt. Joseph Potucek, 25, the patrol leader from Nastic, N.Y., met with IHP leaders to discuss joint operations and address current challenges.
“We’re really impressed with your station and thankful for your cooperation,” Lovett began, addressing Iraqi Maj. Ali Eid Abid, 36, the station commander from Ramadi. “Collaboration between the IHP and Marines is very important for establishment of security in preparation for the upcoming elections.”
Abid enumerated on his policemen’s recent successes, which included finding weapons caches in the desert and establishing joint checkpoints for vehicles along the local highways that lead from Jordan and Syria to Baghdad.
Abid, through an interpreter, said his working relationship with the Americans has been “very positive” with “good cooperation toward the same goals.”
After the meeting was done, the Marines of Weapons Company and the highway patrolmen played a friendly game of soccer.
With clear skies and temperatures in the low 60s, the weather was perfect for what the Iraqis refer to as “football.”
Assisted by an interpreter, Potucek took the opportunity to explain the history and tradition of American Thanksgiving to the Iraqis.
“In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are presenting you and your men with this soccer ball and these gifts,” said Potucek, indicating a box full of hygiene and comfort items.
The box contained zip-lock bags, each filled with some combination of
pens, chewing gum, shampoo, candy, cough drops, skin lotion, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, tube socks and laundry soap, among other items. Each bag had a label on it, which read: “Thank you for your support in maintaining freedom. You are in our hearts and prayers and we are so thankful that you are making the world a safer place. Have a happy Thanksgiving.”
The packages had been prepared by a women’s organization in Carlsbad, Calif., and sent to the Marines by Judie Michael, who has been working for the past three years to support U.S. troops deployed in support of the Global War on Terror. Her goal is to mail out four boxes every other month.
Michael, 69, is now retired after a long career in industrial sales and owning her own business.
“I think it’s wonderful that you chose to give the packages to the highway patrol. Anything all of us can do in Iraq to help these people should be done,” said Michael, whose father served in both World War II and the Korean War during his 30 years in the U.S. Navy.
The Marines handed out the packages to every patrolman on shift. As the Iraqis opened their bags, the Marines did their best to explain, through gestures, the purpose of each item.
“I would like to send my appreciation to the people who sent (these items),” said Samir Abdullah, a 30-year-old Ramadi native who has been on the police force for about five years. “I think your Thanksgiving is a very good celebration.”
After much laughter, handshakes, and gestures for communication, the troops took to the playing field, which consisted of a layer of gravel spread over the desert sand and rocks.
Both teams played their hearts out, and in the end the Marines came out ahead by a score of 4-2.
In a spirit of good sportsmanship, the two teams shook hands afterwards and the Marines headed out to continue the day’s patrol at a joint checkpoint along the highway.
“It’s great having another agency to share the responsibility for security of this area,” said Potucek, who recently graduated from Long Island University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and was one month into the New York State Police Academy when he was mobilized for his second tour in Iraq. He has a spot reserved to begin the program again when he returns from deployment next year.
“The (Iraqi Highway Patrol) are great—very competent and professional,” said Potucek. “It’s their country, and it’s good to see the Iraqis stepping up to the plate. The simple fact that we are patrolling together right now is a deterrent to the insurgency in itself.”
By Capt. Paul Greenberg, RCT-5
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq— Reserve Marines based here teamed up with Iraqi Police Nov. 21 to visit Ma’an Primary School in Rutbah, Iraq, to provide a venue for the police officers to begin mentoring children at one of the town’s poorest schools and to get an idea of conditions for the students there.
The Marines from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 brought more than 300 stuffed animals for the police officers and school officials to distribute to the students.
The stuffed animals were sent to the Marines by private citizens from all over America who made their donations through Beanies for Baghdad, a 501(c) non-profit organization under the umbrella of America Supports You.
Some of the stuffed animals were mailed by Webelos Pack #1968 in Fairfax, Va. Others were sent by Ross Williamson, a high school senior in Bolton, Conn., who explained in his letter that he is collecting and sending 2,000 stuffed animals to U.S. troops all over the world as his senior project.
Before giving out the toys, the Iraqi Police took the opportunity to speak to the children about their partnership with Coalition forces and their commitment to the people of their community.
“Coalition forces are working in conjunction with the Iraqi Police to ensure the safety of the citizens of Rutbah,” said Ahmed Mohammed Mahmud Sabbar in Arabic, addressing a fourth-grade class. Sabbar, a 21-year-old policeman, is originally from Baghdad and has served on the Rutbah force for the past year.
“American troops are here to assist the Iraqi government in improving the quality of life,” continued Sabbar. “Coalition forces are working with the Rutbah city council to help improve education in Rutbah. Coalition forces will be departing soon, but they want to leave this gesture of goodwill sent by the people of the United States.”
Sabbar and another police officer then passed out the stuffed animals to the children while, with the help of an interpreter, the Marines spoke with the school principal, Hashim Eprahem Awad, 44, a Rutbah native.
“I’m happy that the police are here to speak to the children for the first time,” said Awad, whose brother, a captain in the Iraqi Police, was killed in the line of duty in Ramadi in October. “(The police) are like our families. We know they are helping us to destroy the terrorists so we can sleep comfortable at night.”
After departing the school, the Marines made the hour-long drive back to their base and disembarked their vehicles for a patrol debrief.
Capt. William Steuber, 34, the battalion lines-of-operations manager from Rochester, N.Y., took the opportunity to explain to the Marines, from the battalion leadership’s perspective, the value of the mission they had just completed.
“I know you may be asking yourselves, ‘How can something as simple as a beanie baby make a difference in our mission here?’ Well, I’ll tell you. These young people are the future of Iraq. From their earliest memories, all they have known is war and an American military presence in their city,” said Steuber, who had been meeting with the Rutbah city council leaders to discuss ways to improve the local educational system while the other Marines and police officers were delivering the toys and inspecting the school.
“Most of these kids have never met Americans face-to-face before today. We were the first ones, and we brought them stuffed animals, something they’ve probably never had before. They will remember this, and they will remember you, the positive impression you made today. This isn’t just winning hearts and minds. We’re paving the way for future relations. These kids may be business partners with your kids one day. We’re setting the stage right now for building that future relationship.”
By Cpl. Shawn Coolman, RCT-5
AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – To support the deployed Marines in the al-Anbar province, the Jimmy Kimmel Show spotlighted select Marines with 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) via satellite.
Two Marines with Regimental Combat Team 5, Sgt. Chris M. Hayman and Lance Cpl. Michael S. Dunn, joined several 3rd Marine Air Wing (Fwd) Marines early in the morning on Nov. 25 to participate in the show.
“I’m a big fan of the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and it was really cool to be on the show and to be a part of it,” said Dunn, 20, an administrative clerk from Carthage, Texas.
During the show, both Marines had the opportunity to speak to the people in attendance and give individual shout-outs to their families and hometowns.
“It was a good opportunity for my family to see me and say hello to my hometown,” said Hayman, 22, a satellite communications site chief from Twin Falls, Idaho.
Holiday gift boxes were sent to the Marines in attendance, and through a raffle, each Marine has a chance of winning a gift. The gifts included laptop computers and MP3 players.
“We sent boxes for you guys over there to make the holidays a little better,” said Jimmy Kimmel, the host of the Jimmy Kimmel Show, to the Marines during the taping of the show.
The show helped both RCT-5 Marines remember that the American people are still behind their deployed service members.
“It’s awesome that people still support the troops even though this has been a (long war)” said Hayman, who is on his third deployment here.
“It’s a reassuring feeling that America is still concerned about us over here,” added Dunn.
Both Marines were picked for the show on their individual performances.
“Sgt. Hayman puts out the extra effort even when (he doesn’t have to), and I figured he needed a little humor in his life,” said Staff Sgt. Gabriel C. Jaggi, 28, technical control chief, RCT-5, from San Diego.
“He’s a good Marine and he does his job well, so why not let him enjoy a little bit of (fun).”
Thoughts of home often cross the minds of service members during long deployments, and with RCT-5’s yearlong deployment coming to a close soon, thoughts of returning home are on the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“It was really fun to do the show, and it gives me a good feeling to know that I will be going back to the states very soon,” said Dunn.
Kimmel cordially ended the segment with the deployed Marines by simply saying, “come back safe.”
By Cpl. Sean Cummins, RCT-5
RAWAH, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police fought tooth and nail, emptying magazines, assessing casualties and sprinting over berms at Combat Outpost Rawah Nov. 12.
This wasn’t a battle against insurgents, but the first ever Anbar Province Security Force Tactical Conditioning Competition, which tested the speed, strength, endurance and weapons competence of the soldiers and policemen.
Sailors with Navy Special Warfare Detachment 5 developed the competition to create a stronger bond between Iraqi Security Forces. The competition consisted of teams of Iraqi policemen from Rawah and Iraqi soldiers with the al Qaim Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit.
“You can’t have two security forces going after the same sort of (insurgent) or targets in their own home land without cooperating with each other,” said Lt. Chris, a member of NSW Detachment 5 whose name cannot be used for security reason.
The event was about more than just being a competition, though. It also gave the Iraqis a chance to get to know how each of the forces operates, what they excel at and what skills need sharpening.
“We’re trying to get the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police to hopefully work together on actual targets and arrest people together. The first step is just getting them to know each other and feel comfortable with each other,” said Chris.
The benefits of bringing the forces together were not lost in translation among the ISF.
“We can trade experiences with one another, and we’re here for each other. We can learn how to work together and as a team,” said 1st Lt. Muklas Awad, a soldier with the al Qaim ISWAT team.
The soldiers and policemen displayed strengths in different areas, which kept the races close. The first event, which tested the Iraqi’s ability to assemble and fire their weapon while under pressure, was won by the ISWAT team.
For the second event, won by Iraqi policemen, the Iraqis moved in teams of two through an obstacle course, diving under tables and flipping a truck tire to the firing line where they had to hit three targets about 25 meters away.
The third event, won by the ISWAT team, had each team member go through a pistol-firing course followed by a sprint to a rifle fire. After the Iraqis made three accurate shots with their rifles, they completed five pull-ups wearing a flak jacket and a slung AK-47 before sprinting back to the pistol-firing table, where the next contestant started.
Finally, the teams participated in one last event. Each team had to flip a truck tire across the range. At the end of the course, the Iraqis had to find a simulated casualty and carry him back to their vehicles with the rest of their squad while running through smoke from smoke grenades.
Though no official winner was declared, certificates were awarded to the Iraqis for participating in the competition and awards such as headlamps and multi-tools were given to the competitors with the fastest times. After all the awards were given, everyone got together for burgers and drinks before leaving.
“It seemed like they received (the competition) really well. They just met and they’re all joking around each other, so that’s good. A competition like this always brings people together,” said Chris.
By Cpl. Sean Cummins, RCT-5
UBAYDI, Iraq – Iraqi Police, demonstrating their ability to provide security to their country, discovered almost 500 pieces of ordnance and captured three insurgents November 14.
The police discovered the ordnance along with numerous weapons and electronics following their investigation of a recent rocket attack aimed at Combat Outpost Ubaydi.
“It was a significant find, one of the largest finds recently. It is a significant amount of ordnance. Had that ordnance been targeted against U.S. forces, it could have had catastrophic results for our personnel,” said Chief James E. Wightman, 40, from Adair, Iowa, chief explosive ordnance disposal and team leader from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 2, which is currently in support of Task Force 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5.
The Marines aboard COP Ubaydi commended the work of the local Iraqi Police force.
“It’s definitely a giant step forward for (the Iraqi Police). It definitely shows that the Iraqi Police are standing up for themselves; they can control their own city. I think the Iraqi Police did a real good job,” said Staff Sgt. Jeffery W. Bergeaux, 28, Quick Reaction Force section leader, Company K., TF 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, from Jennings, La.
Although finding the weapons cache is a big step forward for the Iraqi Police, they are not using it as an excuse to relax as they know there is still more work to be done throughout the country.
“It’s not only Ubaydi; we need to stop these things all over Iraq. We need to stop them because our families and our kids want to feel that our future is secure,” said Capt. Abdula Najeeb, Ubaydi Iraqi Police, through a translator. “We are ready, 24-hours a day for anything like this.”
Finding the cache was entirely the work of the Iraqi Police, said Bergeaux, adding that the Marines simply supervised and made sure the Iraqi Police were following the proper steps so the suspects would be taken to court.
“The Iraqi Police started getting their information from their sources, and said they were probably sitting on a pretty large weapons cache. They wanted to make sure they were going through the proper procedures so that once (the suspects) were arrested and sent to trial that they would actually get sent away for a fairly long amount of time,” Bergeaux said.
Once the Iraqi Police secured the area and confirmed there was ordnance, the Marines arrived and showed them the proper way to perform sensitive-site exploitation. The EOD team pulled the weapons from the ground to preserve any fingerprints on the ordnance that would help lead to the prosecution of the insurgents.
Three insurgents were taken into custody following the discovery of the cache, which contained 39 rockets, 44 rocket-propelled grenades, 65 projectiles, 10 hand grenades, 48 mortars, 273 ordnance fuses and various electronic parts for building IEDs.
The weapons cache was destroyed by the EOD team in a controlled detonation at COP Ubaydi.
“It’s going to do damage to the city if we are not taking (explosives) off the streets. If the insurgents have them, they will destroy the city. It’s very dangerous,” said 1st Lt. Faysal Sakit Shab, intelligence officer, National Iraqi Intelligence Agency. “The most important thing is that the Iraqi Police live in this city and that is why they keep pushing and pushing to control it. If the city is safe, their family is safe.”
By Capt. Paul Greenberg, RCT-5
CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq— When Lt. Col. Geoff Rollins took command of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team in October 2006, he had a daunting task before him.
Rollins had 18 months to prepare his Marines for mobilization and deployment to Iraq.
Reservists attend weekend drills one weekend each month and an annual training session each year in order to keep their proficiency honed in their military occupational specialties. The rest of the time, many reservists have typical American lives, with full-time civilian jobs and families.
Rollins, 42, drives more than 700 miles round trip from his home in Richmond, Va., once a month to attend his battalion’s drills. He balances his commitment to the Corps with his family, business career and passion for motorcycle riding.
In accordance with Marine Forces Reserve’s structure, 2nd Bn., 25th Marines is geographically dispersed, for the most part, throughout the northeastern U.S. Weapons Company is co-located with the battalion’s Headquarters and Service Company in Garden City, N.Y.; Company E is based in Harrisburg, Pa.; and Companies F and G are in Albany, N.Y., and Dover, N.J., respectively. The battalion also includes a heavy-weapons detachment from Broken Arrow, Okla.
Although each company drills together one weekend each month, the battalion only comes together once a year for their annual training, which typically lasts between two to four weeks.
Prior to the battalion’s mobilization in May, they received several hundred individual augments from other Marine units to fill out their ranks. The end result was a melting pot of both reserve and active duty service members, both new recruits and veterans, who hail from companies and detachments in 11 states.
They were trained and ready by September to join First Marine Expeditionary Force, an active duty unit based in Camp Pendleton, Calif., which was already in Iraq.
“Through teamwork we can maintain our traditional relationship between reserve and active components,” said Rollins. “I want this battalion to be the epitome of the total force concept. Discipline means doing what is right, all the time.”
The battalion is currently based at Camp Korean Village in Iraq’s western al-Anbar province with the mission of mentoring and providing operational over watch of Iraqi Security Forces.
Rollins cited one of his biggest challenges as “the loss of critical pieces of our pre-deployment training program,” as shortly before mobilization, the battalion’s timeline was moved up 30 days.
Next, shortly before their arrival in Iraq, Rollins was informed that he would have to divide his unit into two separate elements, geographically dispersed, after arriving in-country.
However, in classic Marine Corps fashion, the commander learned to adapt and overcome.
“First and foremost, our greatest accomplishment thus far is the successful split of the battalion for its two missions,” said Rollins. “This has not been done since World War II, and we have successfully executed two distinct missions as two separate task forces. The security-force detachment has made significant improvements to the force-protection posture of Al Asad Air base. The (Korean Village) detachment continues to separate the insurgents from the population with an aggressive patrolling plan, coupled with lines-of-operations management that has involved the battalion in key leader engagements, where we are working with the local government officials in their attempt to build capacity for growth. These lines of operation include economics, government, rule of law and communications.”
Rollins credits much of the success to the increased level of maturity which reservists bring to the table. He explained that this is due, in large part, to the years of both active duty service in the Marine Corps and subsequent civilian work experience, particularly in the fields of emergency medicine and police work.
As a sales consultant for a major information technology firm for 12 years, Rollins cites his own professional experience as a critical element of his development as a leader of Marines.
“Strength comes from cohesion and unity,” wrote Rollins in his command philosophy. “The majority of our Marines and sailors only spend a fraction of their lives in the Corps. During this period, we need to provide them the opportunity for improvement, not only to make a better Marine or sailor, but more importantly a better American citizen. We need to help form positive attitudes of service, honor and commitment. We owe them nothing less.”
Rollins’ previous combat tours include serving as a platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, a company commander for 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1993 and as commanding officer of Echo Company, 2nd Bn., 25th Marines in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
This is the battalion’s third mobilization since 2002 and their second deployment to Iraq.
By Cpl. Shawn Coolman, RCT-5
COP RUTBAH, Iraq - And then there was light.
Utility Marines with Support Platoon, Company B, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5 routinely aid the platoon in construction efforts throughout the al-Anbar province.
The utility Marines with the platoon consist of two generator mechanics and two electricians who are currently supporting the platoon in the construction of two traffic control points near Rutbah, Iraq.
The Marines are providing the TCP with electricity for the future Marines and Iraqi Police who will be checking vehicles and personnel as they pass through the TCP.
“We are providing power to the (buildings) at the TCPs and the electrical wiring, including outlets, lights and air conditioning units at the TCPs,” said Sgt. Alejandro R. Castellano, 37, maintenance chief, Support Platoon. “Our utilities goal out here is to provide better living conditions at the TCPs.”
“The TCPs are a great addition to the city of Rutbah to help the Coalition forces and improve the safety and security of the citizens throughout the city with Marines and Iraqi Police working together,” said Lance Cpl. Dmitri R. Murray, 19, an electrician with Support Platoon, from Chester, Penn., who is on his first deployment.
Including their utility duties within the platoon, the utility Marines have also helped with electrical problems at Combat Outpost Rutbah, and aided in other platoon functions.
“While here with Tango Battery 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, we have been helping with tasks and troubleshooting problems they have. We’re taking advantage of our presence here,” said Castellano, who is on his third deployment.
“I didn’t only do my job at the TCP, but also helped out building other parts of the TCP as well,” said Lance Cpl. Steven G. Aguirre, 20, electrician with Support Platoon, from Newark, N.J., who is on his first deployment. “When any section needs help, we are there to support them in any way we can from providing security to putting up (barriers).”
Apart from their responsibilities with the platoon, the utility Marines also support RCT-5 with electrical and generator troubleshooting at Camp Ripper.
“We support RCT-5 with all generator maintenance and electrical missions that are tasked to us. We go from wiring (buildings) to troubleshooting all types of electrical malfunctions,” said Castellano, who is from Fairfax, Va. “We provide power to RCT-5’s Combat Operations Center, and we have generator mechanics with our line platoons who are doing various missions throughout the area of operations.”
Castellano, who initially opted to leave the Marine Corps earlier this year, decided to re-enter active duty in order to pass on his knowledge to his junior Marines who haven’t deployed before.
“All my Marines have never deployed before and that’s one of the reasons I came back on active duty,” said Castellano. “(I) wanted to pass on the experience I have been able to gain in the Marine Corps so they can become more proficient in the utilities field and are able to lead Marines on future deployments and become future mentors themselves.”
One such Marine who volunteered for this deployment one week after completing his Military Occupational Specialty school greatly appreciates Castellano’s decision to return to the utilities field.
“I have learned a lot since I have been here,” said Lance Cpl. Kevin M. Kackos, 20, generator mechanic with Support Platoon, from New Franklin, Mo. “I have had the chance to cross train as an electrician while wiring up the (buildings) and have been fortunate enough to have a great mentor, which I think has set me up to be a better leader.”
The utility Marines have their hands full with responsibilities on many different fronts, but will continue to provide service that is essential to the mission of RCT-5 for the duration of their deployment.
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