War Report

The War Report

American forces are fighting heroic battles in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War On Terror, yet the Mainstream Media is largely ignoring these efforts. Hopefully, we can help get the word out here at MNN.

Iraqi Police and Marines Upset Insurgent Activity in Lahib

In an effort to keep Karmah free of insurgent activity, Lahib Iraqi police and Marines from 2nd Platoon, Company W, Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, spent more than 12 hours searching Lahib for insurgents and weapons caches during an Iraqi police-coordinated operation, Jan. 10.

By Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis
Regimental Combat Team 1 Combat Correspondent, 1/23/09

KARMAH, Iraq - In an effort to keep Karmah free of insurgent activity, Lahib Iraqi police and Marines from 2nd Platoon, Company W, Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, spent more than 12 hours searching Lahib for insurgents and weapons caches during an Iraqi police-coordinated operation, Jan. 10.

The effort resulted in the IP detaining 11 suspected insurgents and the discovery of a stockpile of materials normally used to make improvised explosive devices.

After detaining the suspects, Iraqi police officers told Marines they wanted to search a local mosque while Marines provided security outside, and the cache was unearthed shortly thereafter on the grounds of the compound.

Until this recent discovery, weapons caches have been more commonly found in Lahib's outlying areas, where the rural outskirts offered easy access for insurgents and ease of concealment. The rural areas also lacked a persistent security footprint normally seen in urban centers.

Marines turned over primary security responsibility in the Karmah area to Iraqi police roughly a month ago, and this latest success proved the their capability to secure their own city without direct Marine support.

"The [Iraqi police] explained what they were going to do, and they told us how we could help, we just offered a few suggestions and beyond that, it was all their work," said 1st Lt. Mark Beaudette, a 25-year-old platoon commander from Fitchburg, Mass., with 2nd Platoon, Company W, 1st Bn., 3rd Marines.

Beaudette explained the primary support Marines provided the Iraqi police was military working dogs and engineers to help with cache sweeping - both assets the growing force is without.

The operation was successful and would have been without any help from CF, Beaudette added.

"They didn’t even ask our engineers to sweep the area [where the ordnance was found,]" he said. "They just asked to borrow the metal detector and they went over the area themselves. Marines didn't go into a single building during the operation."

Iraqi police now lead and coordinate operations, and the cache find further demonstrates the IP's commitment to sustaining security as coalition forces continue transitioning to an overwatch position.

"When we first got here they weren't capable of conducting their own patrols," said Staff Sgt. Dean Long, a 27-year-old section leader from Lodi, Wis., with 2nd Platoon, Company W, 1st Bn., 3rd Marines.

"Now they're conducting their own operations and finding caches," he said. "It shows how much effort they put in, and it says a lot about Karmah's future."

International Security Assistance Force Successfully Targets Taliban Leader

International Security Assistance Force forces killed a prominent insurgent leader in the Maywand District of Kandahar province. Haji Adam, a senior Taliban figure in central Helmand, was killed in a precise air strike.

From the International Security Assistance Force, 1/21/09

KABUL, Afghanistan - International Security Assistance Force forces killed a prominent insurgent leader in the Maywand District of Kandahar province. Haji Adam, a senior Taliban figure in central Helmand, was killed in a precise air strike.

Haji Adam was directly involved in the movement of fighters, improvised explosive device production, and in the planning and execution of attacks. He was also engaged in the illegal narcotics trade in the Sangin area of Helmand, using the profits to fund insurgent activity.

Haji Adam had strong links to senior Taliban leaders Akhter Mohammed Mansour, Mullah Naim Barich and Attiqullah.

The operation took place in an isolated area between Maywand and Sangin. Prior to force being used, careful checks were carried out to ensure no civilians were in the vicinity of the attack.

"The death of Haji Adam, the latest in a series of prominent Taliban figures to be removed, signals another serious blow to the insurgency," said Brig. Gen. Richard Blanchette, ISAF spokesperson.

"This will have an immediate impact on Taliban attempts to continue their vicious tactics in Helmand," he said.

Coalition Forces Disrupt Terrorist Networks in Eastern and Southern Afghanistan

Coalition forces killed 22 armed militants, including two Taliban commanders, and detained 11 during multiple operations targeting the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks in eastern and southern Afghanistan.

By U.S. Forces Afghanistan, 1/20/09

KABUL, Afghanistan - Coalition forces killed 22 armed militants, including two Taliban commanders, and detained 11 during multiple operations targeting the Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks in eastern and southern Afghanistan.

In Kapisa, coalition forces killed Taliban commander Mullah Patang and 18 other militants during an operation to disrupt the Taliban's terrorist network in the Tagab Valley, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Kabul City. Mullah Patang was in direct contact with and carried out orders from senior Taliban leaders in Afghanistan and abroad. Patang was responsible for numerous roadside bomb and direct attacks against innocent civilians, government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials and coalition forces throughout the region.

As coalition forces approached the targeted compounds, multiple groups of armed militants exited from several buildings and attempted to maneuver on and engage the force with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned small-arms fires and used close-air precision munitions to prevent the armed militants' movement against the force. After neutralizing the threat, coalition forces continued the operation, searching the targeted buildings. The operation yielded more than 20 AK-47s, multiple hand grenades and bandoliers of full magazines. The items were destroyed to prevent their future use; eight suspected militants were also detained as a result of the operation.

In Kandahar, coalition forces killed a second Taliban commander, Mullah Abdul Rahim Akund, and one additional armed militant while targeting the Taliban's roadside bombing network. The operation in Panjawi District, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Kandahar City, eliminated the Taliban commander assessed to plan, coordinate and facilitate roadside bombings throughout the province.

Despite coalition forces' efforts to peacefully empty the compound, the militants resisted and were ultimately killed when coalition forces were forced to use hand grenades in an escalation of force. A search of the compound revealed a 105 mm artillery round that had the explosives removed presumably to construct roadside bombs.

In Khost, Afghan national army and coalition forces netted the targeted Haqqani militant during a successful combined operation. The detained militant is believed to be in direct contact with senior Haqqani leaders outside of Afghanistan, coordinating activities aimed at destabilizing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and harming innocent civilians and coalition forces.

In Zabul province, coalition forces continued to apply pressure to the Taliban's roadside bombing network, killing one armed militant and detaining two suspected militants. The operation in Jaldak District, approximately 65 kilometers northeast of Kandahar, targeted a Taliban militant believed to carry out roadside bombings and attacks against coalition forces along Highway One. The targeted militant is also believed to be in contact with multiple Taliban commanders in the region.

During the operation, one armed militant attempted to engage the force. Coalition forces returned fire and killed him.

Regimental Combat Team 1 completes third Iraq tour

Marines with Regimental Combat Team 1 turned another page in the history books, completing the regiment's third tour in Iraq in only four years, Jan. 20.

By Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Higgins
Regimental Combat Team 1, 1/20/09

RAMADI, Iraq - Marines with Regimental Combat Team 1 turned another page in the history books, completing the regiment's third tour in Iraq in only four years, Jan. 20.

RCT-1 was the first Marine Corps unit to take command in the eastern region of al Anbar province, a mostly Sunni tribal area that includes such vital cities as Fallujah, Saqlawiyah and Karmah.

It is also one of the Corps' only units to participate in the march up through Baghdad in 2003 and in both Operation Vigilant Resolve and Operation al Fajr in Fallujah in 2004, where they saw some of the heaviest combat of the war in Iraq.

The regiment again took command of the province's eastern region 12 months ago, and jumped on a wave of momentum set by its predecessors during the last few years to continue the region's advancements in security, development and governance.

The Marines have seen a lot of positive change since they started their tour. When they arrived the Anbar Awakening had reached its pinnacle, the troop surge was still in effect and al-Qaida was beginning its decline.

Security in al Anbar province and throughout Iraq had improved enough by early summer to begin drawing down coalition forces.

In March, the regiment had taken over security in Ramadi, a city of nearly 1.2 million people, and its area of operations grew 5,200 square miles, twice its original size. Since then, its number of forces was reduced from approximately 8,600 early in the deployment to only about 3,800 today.

The challenge in growing geographically while reducing personnel was maintaining momentum, according to Col. Lewis A. Craparotta, the regiment's commander.

Yet on Sept. 1, 2008, the regiment handed over control of security in the region to the government of Iraq following the notable Provincial Iraqi Control ceremony in Ramadi, Aug. 26, 2008, during which local Iraqi leaders signed a Command and Control Memorandum of Understanding.

The success the regiment is having on the battlefield today is the result of five years of coalition forces' sacrifices, but a lot of credit should also go to Iraqi security forces and the military training teams who trained them.

Iraq's army and police units have grown from a "fledgling police and military force to a fully capable and operational counterinsurgency force in an amazingly short amount of time," according to Maj. Tony Barrett, the RCT-1 intelligence officer.

"Al Anbar has not had this good of an outlook in the millennia-long history of its people," said Barrett. "There are constantly improving essential services, increasing political rivalries that are not turning violent, multiple internal and foreign investment firms looking to invest in al Anbar and a sustained reduction in violence that is making this all possible."

To support reconstruction efforts in al Anbar, RCT-1 has spent over $50 million in aid spanning a range of projects from repairing battle-damaged buildings to purchasing school supplies.

Capt. Emily Grant, the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team liaison officer with RCT-1, said money the regiment put into the local economy has spurred the economic recovery eastern al Anbar is experiencing today.

"This economic recovery is evident to anyone driving down a city street," said Grant. "Construction companies are rebuilding privately-owned buildings, restaurants are opening daily, auto-repair shops are doing brisk business and billboards are advertising all sorts of goods for sale. The economy has really taken off."

Some of the money, she said, has also supported small business owners who often face significant financial difficulties. The regiment has provided $90 thousand in grants to supplement business loans when traditional banks have been unwilling to lend.

To solve the loan problem, RCT-1 worked closely with the United States Agency for International Development to expand branches of the Al Takadum micro-finance agency into Fallujah and Ramadi.

But the aid RCT-1 and other coalition forces have provided was not handed over without holding the Iraqi government accountable.

Marines have been meeting twice weekly with essential services managers at al Anbar's provincial government center, and USAID has provided training programs, technical expertise and budgeting software to improve their budget planning and spending.

"Budget planning and budget execution is, in my opinion, the key to Iraq's future," said Grant.

Part of the budget problem has also been ethno-sectarian struggles between al Anbar and the rest of Iraq, which has led to gross underfunding of the region by the central government.

Coalition forces are hoping upcoming elections throughout Iraq will help to solve some of the budget problems.

"Eastern al Anbar needs to be able to secure funding from the national government to enable industrial reconstruction that will offer jobs to all of its people as well as people from outside Anbar," said Barrett. "But I think great hope exists in the upcoming (provincial) elections and next year's national elections."

Iraq's provincial elections are scheduled to take place Jan. 31, a short time after Marines with RCT-1 have made their way home to reunite with friends and family in the U.S.

Though they are leaving Iraq behind, possibly for the last time, their efforts and sacrifices will live on.

"While this deployment may be closing the Iraq chapter in RCT-1's illustrious history there is much we can look back on and be proud of," said Barrett. "We continue to mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters we have lost on the battlefields and we can honestly say that they did not die in vain; the Marines and sailors of RCT-1 served their memory well and there are literally hundreds of thousands of Iraqis that have their sacrifice to thank as they look towards a bright and prosperous future."

Marine Logistics Patrol Pushes Through IEDs, Insurgent Attacks in Afghanistan

Not even a series of potentially deadly events was enough to stop a Marine combat logistics patrol from meeting its objective recently in southern Afghanistan.

By Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer, 1/18/09
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan

HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Not even a series of potentially deadly events was enough to stop a Marine combat logistics patrol from meeting its objective recently in southern Afghanistan.

The 1st Platoon of Combat Logistics Battalion 3's Motor Transportation Company proved its combat abilities and calmness under fire when insurgents attempted to waylay one of its combat logistics patrols traveling from here to Forward Operating Base Musa Qala, Dec. 13, 2008.

While enroute to the FOB with a load of British and American supplies, the platoon, part of the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan, experienced several improvised explosive device strikes and discoveries, damaged vehicles and a coordinated attack by insurgents.

"There were three things I said would happen during this convoy," said Sgt. Benjamin C. Chesterbristow, the dismounted sweep team non-commissioned officer in charge for 1st Plt.

Chesterbristow predicted the combat logistics patrol would find an IED, hit an IED and engage in a firefight - his predictions became reality.

The combat logistics patrol struck two IEDs, uncovered four additional IEDs, received indirect and small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade fire all within a 54-hour period before reaching its destination more than 60 kilometers away.

"My whole cab filled with dust, and I couldn't see in front of my face," said Pfc. Christopher M. Reep, a motor transport operator with 1st Platoon, who was operating a 7-ton truck that day.

Reep's truck was the first to roll over a hidden IED, and he said it was the loudest pop he'd ever heard in his life.

In the process of approaching Reep's battered truck, sweep team members, trained specifically to find IEDs, uncovered two more IEDs buried beneath the earth and called for their explosive ordnance removal team to destroy the threats.

Once Reep's immobilized vehicle was rigged to be towed, the combat logistics patrol pressed forward through the unmarked terrain with no road to guide them.

"I knew about Musa Qala and the route," said 23-year-old 2nd Lt. Rebecca M. Turpin, 1st Platoon's convoy commander. "It wasn't surprising that we were hit."

Shortly after, the combat logistics patrol hit another IED during the night that destroyed the lead vehicle's mine roller, a device used to pre-detonate IEDs and protect the vehicles and their occupants.

"I don't remember the sound of the blast, all I remember is smoke flying in front of us, as well as the laughter in the back of my vehicle and someone yelling-out ‘we found one,'" remarked Chesterbristow.

Having to stop for the night, the patrol set up a defensive position and attempted to get some rest until it could acquire a new mine roller.

Fortunately, CLB-3's combat operations center arranged the air-lift of a replacement mine roller to 1st Plt., which arrived at midnight via a British CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The Marines worked diligently to install the replacement mine roller in order for the patrol to continue its push forward.

At first light on Dec. 14, 2008, the combat logistics patrol continued its movement but was attacked with rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire courtesy of insurgents outside a nearby village. One of the RPGs struck the patrol's refueling truck, rendering it immobile and leaving the patrol no choice but to set up another defensive position until the truck's damaged wheel could be repaired.

Air support consisting of a pair of AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters from Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, part of SPMAGTF-A's air combat element, was dispatched to give the patrol further assistance, suppressing the insurgents' attack, while F/A-18 Hornets and a B-1 Bomber from other alliance forces waited on standby.

"I've never seen anyone shoot RPGs accurately before, but all our movements were right. Everyone posted security where they needed to, and the gunners were on-point with their weapons," said Sgt. Steven K. Smith, a motor transport operator with 1st Plt.

Smith said he's encountered similar situations but never in such close succession.

"You're drained and tired," Smith explained. "You want to sleep, but you want to stay up. Your body and your mind are fighting each other at the same time."

"It's a new battlefield for me," said Chesterbristow, who has three tours in Iraq under his belt. "It's definitely an eye-opener to see a force that actually wants to stay and fight."

Through training, combat proficiency and cool thinking, the combat logistics patrol reached its destination in Musa Qala, off-loaded its cargo, and then returned to base with no casualties.

"Before stepping off, everybody knew what to do, and that's exactly what they did," Turpin said. "The Marines are efficient and are the most professional and calm group of Marines I have. It's an absolute honor to serve with them."

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