Although the spotlight of the media has been on the turmoil in Bagdhad and the fighting in Lebanon, the US Marines are making progress in Iraq. This report from Marine Corps News;
“Right off the bat it didn’t start like a normal day for us,” said Sgt. Brian Vitale, a 24-year-old from Methuen, Mass., assigned to the battalion’s personnel security detachment. “When I saw almost a hundred vehicles and hundreds of anxious Marines departing friendly lines heading for the village, I knew the operation was going to be a good one.”Vitale was right. It wasn’t going to be just another mission for them. A huge convoy rolled into Fuhuylat before the sun could rise over the desert area south of Fallujah. Security was set for a forward command point, while immediately the operational force was making its way through the villages surrounding areas. …
“We came across some sand bags and decided to check them out,” explained Cpl. Russell P. Untiedt, a 22-year-old combat engineer from Excell, Mo. “I was amazed at what we had found. Pounds of explosive material used to make IED’s.”
Marines pressed forward, moving throughout several square miles, searching and waiting for insurgeant activity.“We pushed out to another spot and that’s when things got a little hairy,” said Sgt. Richard J. Chase, a turret gunner from Killingly, Conn., assigned to the PSD.Enemy mortar rounds began impacting around the group’s position.“My heart was pumping like it was going to come out of my chest when the mortars started coming in next to us,” said Cpl. Andy Melendez, a 25-year-old turret gunner, from Utica, N.Y. “I thought that the insurgents were going to zero-in on us at any moment,” Vitale added.
Miles away, Marine artillerymen were swinging their 155 mm M-198 howitzers and lobbing their own fire back at the insurgents.“Within seconds the radio traffic started going crazy and I learned the artillery Marines not only found them, but they had them zeroed-in,” Vitale said.Thuds from artillery pounded in the distance on the insurgent mortar positions.“That’s what it’s all about,” Melendez said. “We all support each other and without the artillery unit who knows what would have happened to us.”
Before the Marines could catch their breath, they were applauding the efforts of their counterparts as reports of more weapons caches were sent their way. Weapons Company Marines radioed that they captured armed men guarding three Iraqis tied up inside of an underground bunker.“It shows that they are not only terrorists, but they are animals,” Vitale said. “I mean to kidnap somebody and put them in the ground like that. It’s just not human.”
The operation pushed on for most of the day while “New England’s Own” Marines continued to capture enemy material and gather information from locals.“It feels good to be out their helping people, you know,” Untiedt said.“Anytime we take weapons out of insurgent hands it’s a successful mission, especially considering we saved three innocent lives,” said 25-year-old Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Dent, an imagery analyst from Boston. The mission was debriefed and the Marines all agreed the day was a success. “It was a great day,” Dent said. “With all of the weapons we found and rescuing three innocent people from the terrorists, we made a difference out there.”
Great job, men. You make us very proud.
