22nd MEU (SOC) Hercules Flex Their Muscle In South-Central Afghanistan

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22nd MEU (SOC) Hercules Flex Their Muscle In South-Central Afghanistan
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification #: 2004516235711
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks



FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan (May 16, 2004) -- Located deep in the Oruzgan province of south-central Afghanistan, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ripley, the base of operations for the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), is relying on one of the Marine Corps’ most versatile work horses to carry out its operations.

Taking off and landing nearly every day from a remote, and recently improved, desert airstrip, KC-130R Hercules transport planes from Marine Aerial Refueler and Transport Squadron-252 (VMGR-252) are keeping the MEU supplied and capable of conducting combat and civil military operations.

“Since the beginning of the MEU’s combat operations, the KC-130 detachment has provided assault support transport of essential supplies, vehicles, and personnel to and from FOB Ripley,” said Capt. Pete Munson, of Cleveland, Ohio, a Hercules pilot serving as air planner for the 22d MEU (SOC).

“We are also available for helicopter and fixed-wing aerial refueling, aerial delivery of supplies, equipment, and personnel, airborne radio relay, and rapid ground refueling operations of helicopters.”

Located near the town of Tarin Kowt approximately 60 miles north of Kandahar, the airstrip was pitted and unserviceable until Army engineers assigned to the MEU moved in and improved it sufficiently to support KC-130 operations. Normally used for long range transportation, the KC-130R, now nearing its 30th year of operational service, has proved particularly adept at operating under the rough conditions in Afghanistan.

“I believe the operations here have been an excellent demonstration of the KC-130 as a force multiplier,” continued Munson, whose call sign is ‘Munster.’

The only operation similar to this one for VMGR-252 was its support of Camp Rhino near Kandahar during the initial campaign in Afghanistan, 2001-2002. Unlike the strip at Camp Rhino, though, the airstrip at FOB Ripley is much more challenging for the aircrews.

“The forward landing strip at Camp Rhino was longer and at lower elevation than the one at FOB Ripley,” said Munson. “The conditions at Ripley, including the surrounding terrain and the runway size itself, are much more limiting to KC-130 operations than the
conditions at Camp Rhino.”

Munson went on to say that the primary impact using the airstrip on FOB Ripley is the need for aircrews to exercise extra vigilance in planning their cargo loads to ensure the mission does not exceed the aircraft’s capability.

Cpl. Dave Finn is a flight mechanic who routinely makes the flight from the detachment’s base outside Afghanistan to Kandahar, and then the short hop to and from FOB Ripley. Despite the difficult challenges posed by flying into a forward landing strip, he is impressed by the aircraft’s performance thus far and the aircraft’s handling of the harsh conditions.

“This [KC-130R] is a good aircraft,” Finn said. “We’re not seeing any mechanical problems we don’t normally see. For us, it’s business as usual.”

VMGR-252 is no stranger to supporting deployed MEUs. In recent years, the unit has supported the 24th and 26th MEUs, and also the 22d MEU (SOC) during its most recent deployment in 2002 when it flew during operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Horn of Africa. Munson went on to say that this is the first VMGR-252 detachment to deploy with a full complement of night vision goggle-capable aircraft and aircrew, an asset put to good use during tactical arrivals and departures at FOB Ripley.

“People outside the KC-130 community rarely see the aircraft doing anything except landing on long, paved runways. The versatility of the 130 is a great asset to the MEU and has been crucial to the buildup of supplies and equipment for the FOB.”

The 22d MEU (SOC) consists of its Command Element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 22. The MEU is working with Combined Joint Task Force 76 and is designated Task Force Linebacker.

For more information on the 22d MEU (SOC)’s role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, visit the unit’s web site at www.22meu.usmc.mil.

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A KC-130R from VMGR-252 lands on an expeditionary air field at Forward Operating Base Ripley, Afghanistan, to deliver fuel and supplies to the 22d MEU (SOC). The aircraft and crew are part of a forward-deployed detachment supporting the 22d MEU during operations in Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by: Capt. Eric Dent


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A Marine KC-130R touches down aboard the expeditionary airfield at Forward Operating Base Ripley, near Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. The aircraft are forward-deployed to support the 22d MEU (SOC) during Operation Enduring Fredom. Photo by: Capt. Eric Dent

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/09EAEFC2C1BA472085256E970015B708?opendocument


Ellie

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22d MEU(SOC) Secures Khas Oruzgan
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification #: 200451783850
Story by Capt. Eric Dent



KHAS ORUZGAN, Afghanistan(May 17, 2004 ) -- Villagers in northern Oruzgan Province curiously watched as a 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) task force rolled through the dusty, unpaved streets in heavily armed vehicles and established a base of operations at the recently-attacked district headquarters
May 8, 2004.

Minutes after the task force arrived, MEU helicopters landed nearby and unloaded Afghan National Army (ANA) forces and their equipment as Provincial Governor Jan Mohammed watched from nearby.

Marines from the MEU's Maritime Special Purpose Force and Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, along with soldiers from the ANA, established Forward Operating Base New Market to provide security and stability to the Khas Oruzgan area. Taliban forces have historically victimized this remote valley. Recent attacks included the murder of a government official and the attempted assassination of another.

"We are here to provide safety and security in order to facilitate United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and their efforts to register the Afghan people for their upcoming elections," said Capt. Jeff Buffa, the task force commander, during a meeting with the governor. "We look forward to working with the local authorities to let the people live their lives as they wish."

Governor Mohammed praised the efforts of the Marines and ANA forces as they reinforced their defensive perimeter and made liaison with local village elders. He introduced the Marine commander and senior enlisted Marine, Master Sgt. Michael Crews, to the elders and emphasized that the Marines were not interested in changing their way of life or religion. They are there to keep outside influences like the Taliban from interfering with the villagers.

The 22d MEU (SOC) arrived in Afghanistan in late March and since have pushed into southern and central provinces numerous times making their presence known to Taliban and other anti-coalition militia (ACM) forces operating in the region.

It did not take long for the Marines to get into the village and meet more people, as foot patrols moved through Khas Oruzgan the following morning. At first only small children approached, but as the patrol snaked its way through the village more people walked out to meet the Marines.

"Thank you for coming here to our village," said one middle-aged man in broken and hurried English, as he shook Staff Sgt. David McNamee's hand. The man described that because the Marines are there he feels happy for his children and their safety.

"I'm glad you feel safer with us here," stated McNamee. This villager was not the only one who was feeling safer. Nearly each shop and home was now flying the tri-colored Afghan flags, something that just a day prior would be out of the question given the hidden threat of the Taliban and other ACM forces.

The 22d MEU (SOC) consists of its command element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Rein.) and MEU Service Support
Group 22. The MEU deployed mid-February and is participating in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F371E847DE3F589F85256E9700457940?opendocument

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines and Afghan National Army work together for Afghanistan's future
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification #: 200451864953
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks



FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan (May 18, 2004) -- As the Marines and Sailors of Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines patrol the rugged mountains of south-central Afghanistan, interspersed among their tri-color desert uniforms are the green uniforms of the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Less than three years after the Taliban regime was ousted from Afghanistan, the joint patrols and combat operations are a vital instrument in demonstrating to the Afghan people the legitimacy of the central government and its commitment to their security.

"The forces we have with us are disciplined, motivated, and proud of what they're doing," said Lt. Col. Asad A. Khan, commanding officer of BLT 1/6, the ground combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

The ANA unit assigned to the 22d MEU (SOC) is the 1st Co., 3d Bn., 2d ANA Brigade, and is broken down among the companies of BLT 1/6 and the MEU Command Element. Each of these detachments are assigned a U.S. Army advisor, or embedded trainer, who provides guidance and advice to the ANA soldiers and who serves as a liaison between the Marine and ANA commanders.

Capt. Clay Gardner is one of these soldiers, all of whom are drawn from the 3d Bn., 172d Infantry, a National Guard unit headquartered in Vermont with forces throughout New England and Oklahoma. A labor relations specialist in civilian life, Gardner says the ANA troops have come a long way since his arrival in Afghanistan last November.

"They usually go straight from training into combat, so there's no adjustment period," said Gardner "Many of them are former Mujahideen or Northern Alliance fighters. They're not afraid to pull the trigger, they just need to learn to work together, and so far are doing really well."

The presence of these local troops are invaluable to the MEU's success as they conduct combat and civil military operations in the Oruzgan province. During a recent 'cordon and knock' operation where the MEU searched for enemy insurgents and hidden weapons caches, having an uniformed Afghan soldier nearby helped dispel the myth the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan is a unilateral one.

During these patrols, the ANA stood security alongside Marines and were on hand as the villagers were questioned and houses and sheds searched, providing an important insight on local customs and traditions to the Marines, and helped root out enemy caches.

"The people need to see the ANA when we go through," said Sgt. First Class Eric Bates, who normally works as a police detective and whose ANA squad was assigned to BLT 1/6's Alpha Company. "Eventually we'll [U.S. forces] leave and the Afghan people need to have faith in the ANA."

The ANA stood up in January 2003, has a current strength of around ten thousand troops, and by 2009 is expected to number more than 70,000. Training is conducted by French, German, and U.S. forces. Most of the ANA's uniforms and basic equipment are of U.S. origin while weapons and vehicles predominately come from former Soviet Bloc countries.

"I'm amazed at how professional the force has become after such a short time," said Khan, who saw action with the initial U.S. invasion force to hit Afghanistan in late 2001. "They are truly committed to making a difference in their country's future."

During a meeting with the Afghan commander of the 3d Bn., Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commanding officer of the 22d MEU (SOC), applauded the soldiers' fighting prowess and impact on their nation's future.

"The future of Afghanistan is linked to the ANA," McKenzie told the Afghan commander. "Your soldiers are brave and fight very well. We are proud to work with the ANA and while with Task Force Linebacker they will be well taken care of."

In addition to its Command Element and BLT 1/6, the 22d MEU (SOC) consists of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced) and MEU Service Support Group 22. The unit is Afghanistan conducting combat and civil military operations as Task Force Linebacker for Combined Joint Task Force 76.

For more information on the 22d MEU (SOC)'s role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, visit the unit's web site at www.22meu.usmc.mil.

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Accompanied by an Afghan National Army soldier, far right in green, Marines from Alpha Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines search a farmer's well for caches of arms and ammunition. BLT 1/6 is the ground combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), and is in Afghanistan conducting combat and civil military operations. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/6ED4F128DA4A809785256E98003B7FF9?opendocument


Ellie