Marines, Afghan Soldiers Insert Deep Into Key Terrain
2/11/2010
By
Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde
,
Regimental Combat Team 7
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan
The Marines, sailors and soldiers parked their armored trucks and quickly sprung into action. Some hopped out and took defensive fighting positions. Others directed the vehicles into strategic locations around a large circle. This area of rugged desert in Helmand province, Afghanistan, was transformed into a suitable landing zone.
Waves of CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters landed inside the cordon, spitting additional troops into the perimeter. The Marines and sailors of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and soldiers of the Afghan national army had successfully created a secure environment for the troops to operate.
The troops arrived at their current location, Feb. 4. The Marines riding in the CH-53E Super Stallions came from Camp Dwyer while the others arrived from Camp Belleau Wood, both in Helmand province.
"We got over here and the cordoning party had the landing zone secured," said Cpl. Alex Bunger, a field radio operator who arrived by air.
The service members quickly learned that the enemy was nearby.
A loud whistle screamed through the setting sun. The troops were being attacked with indirect fire. As one Marine screamed "Incoming!" the rest frantically took cover under the armored vehicles scattered around the security cordon.
As the mortar landed in the distance, the troops continued to work, determined not to let the enemy's attacks cause them to lose their composure.
"That was maybe the twentieth time that has happened to me," said Petty Officer 3rd Class James Hamilton, a field medical technician with India Company, "The Taliban still can't shoot!"
The service members also had to fight adverse weather during their stay in the desert. Frequent sand storms and cold nights were typical. Many of the troops slept in the trucks. Others slept under the stars.
"It's pretty cold at night. We don't have a lot of warming layers, but we make do and suck it up," said Bunger, 22, from Salina, Kan.
The Marines of India Company will be working with the ANA by conducting counterinsurgency operations in Helmand province, and will encounter similar circumstances during the immediate future. The Marines realize the importance of their partnership with the ANA to allow for long-term stability in Afghanistan.
"We're out here with the ANA, supporting them to help fight the Taliban so they can take their country back." Bunger said.
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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Captain Bill Hefty, the company commander of India Company., 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, discusses strategy with soldiers from the Afghan National Army through an interpreter in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2010. India Co. arrived at their current location in Helmand province by a combination of land and air transportation after securing a landing zone in the Afghan desert. , Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2/5/2010 3:21 AM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment trek down a rocky hill in the desert of Helmand, province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2010. India Co. arrived at their current location in Helmand province by a combination of land and air transportation after securing a landing zone in the Afghan desert. , Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2/5/2010 3:16 AM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Captain Bill Hefty, the company commander of India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, discusses strategy with soldiers from the Afghan National Army in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2010. India Co. arrived at their current location in Helmand province by a combination of land and air transportation after securing a landing zone in the Afghan desert. , Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2/5/2010 3:13 AM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provide security for their area of operation in Helmand, province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2010. India Co. arrived at their current location in Helmand province by a combination of land and air transportation after securing a landing zone in the Afghan desert. , Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2/5/2010 2:55 AM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, hike up a rocky hill in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2010. India Co. arrived at their current location in Helmand province by a combination of land and air transportation after securing a landing zone in the Afghan desert. , Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2/5/2010 2:53 AM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, observe the countryside of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2010. India Co. arrived at their current location in Helmand province by a combination of land and air transportation after securing a landing zone in the Afghan desert. , Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde, 2/5/2010 2:52 AM
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