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27 year-old male from Naples, FL
Even if i knew what i was about, i wouldent tell you. | Latest Post | |
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11th MEU holds down Fallujah rear
ABU GHRAIB, Iraq (Dec. 8, 2004) -- While several 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit units joined the 15,000 servicemember sweep of Fallujah last month, Marines and sailors of the MEU were also committed to ensuring the security and stability of the assault's back door here.
Task Force Blackhorse, comprised of elements from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, pushed here from An Najaf, Iraq, just before the main assault started. The task force's Company B, Combined Anti-Armor Team A, Scout Sniper Platoon and Explosive Ordnance Technicians relieved Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, who went to join the main assault. Task Force Blackhorse assumed operational responsibility of the towns of Kandari and Nasar Wa Salam, and immediately began conducting security and stability operations.
During the turnover, they were told it would be difficult to keep the area as it was when they arrived.
"We were told 'if you can maintain the status quo you'll have exceeded our expectations,'" said Capt. Samuel H. Carrasco, task force commander.
Since they found them, the cities aren't the same -- they're better. After conducting more than 120 patrols, 13 platoon reinforced raids, a company reinforced cordon and search of the entire town of Kandari, attacks by improvised explosive devices have diminished. Attacks on locals have reduced and numerous enemy personnel have been detained or killed. But most importantly they insured that the 1st Marine Division did not have to worry about their rear supply routes and communications during the fight, according to Carrasco.
The areas of Kandari and Nasar Wa Salam were essentially built up during the 1980s by Saddam Hussein. He began moving displaced Shias to the areas -- in the middle of the Sunni triangle, where Sunnis dictate the majority of the insurgency effort -- to be regulated by his Sunni regime at the time. But now the Shias make up the majority of the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police in the area and find themselves policing the Sunni dominated insurgency.
Upon arriving, Blackhorse found itself flung into a full-fledged counter insurgency in Al Anbar province. They came from An Najaf where local authorities are taking control and peace is prevalent.
"If we learned anything in Najaf, it was how to work with the local authorities," said 1st Sgt. Joe Morales, company first sergeant, Co. B. "Coming over here, it's like a power vacuum."
So they set out on the security and stability mission in an area where many anti-Iraqi forces operate frequently. Carrasco equates their approach in the area to that of the Old Chicago Police Department of the 1920s. They commenced to "walk the beat" instead of isolating themselves in mounted patrols.
"Back then everybody knew who the cop was. He befriended the people who appreciated his presence and he knew who to keep his eye on," Carrasco said.
Marines went on regular foot patrols knocking door to door, talking to people. Everyone in the task force worked together patrolling six to nine times a day.
"We're constantly out there. We'd try to find out what they needed, what we could do for them and what they could do for us," Morales said.
In one instance, insurgents blew a main water line. Blackhorse was immediately in the area delivering water to the people affected by this attack.
"The people out there can see what we do and they see the insurgents offer them nothing but violence," Morales said.
With their actions, they developed a base of allies within the local populace. The task force now has a good idea of who's on whose side.
"We're verifying key leaders who are pro-Iraq-- we realize the secret to their success is to cooperate with coalition forces," Carrasco said.
Blackhorse members conducted joint patrols with the ING and IP and conferred with the city council and local religious leaders to improve the situation.
This committed hodgepodge of pro-Iraq forces pursued the insurgents -- whether they presented themselves directly in a firefight or indire
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