thedrifter
09-17-05, 07:15 AM
Marines from Hard-Hit Ohio Unit Heading Home
Sept 16, 2005, 6:43 PM
COLUMBUS (AP) -- An Ohio Marine Reserve unit that lost 16 members in Iraq has moved to a safer area as it prepares to return home, according to family members. Members of the Columbus-based Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment have told parents and spouses in recent days that they have flown from the Haditha Dam near the Syrian border, where the men died, to the more secure Al Asad air base, about 150 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Nine members of Lima Company were among the 14 Marines who died Aug. 3 in the deadliest roadside bombing of U.S. troops in Iraq. The larger Cleveland-based 3rd Battalion lost a total of 16 Marines during August.
Citing security concerns, a Marine spokesman would not confirm Lima Company's movements, though he doubts that the entire battalion was now at Al Asad. "You cannot bring a large unit to one location quickly," Lt. Col. Mike Brown said on Friday.
Brown did say that Lima Company and the rest of the battalion are due at Camp LeJeune, N.C., early next month where members will undergo a brief period of post-deployment training. By the second week of October, the individual units are expected to return to their home bases, including the one in Columbus.
Edith Rye of Hamilton said she was "tickled pink" after her husband, Cpl. Frank Rye, told her on Thursday that he was now safe at the new base in Iraq. "I can't wait for him to get home," she said.
Ellie
Sept 16, 2005, 6:43 PM
COLUMBUS (AP) -- An Ohio Marine Reserve unit that lost 16 members in Iraq has moved to a safer area as it prepares to return home, according to family members. Members of the Columbus-based Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment have told parents and spouses in recent days that they have flown from the Haditha Dam near the Syrian border, where the men died, to the more secure Al Asad air base, about 150 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Nine members of Lima Company were among the 14 Marines who died Aug. 3 in the deadliest roadside bombing of U.S. troops in Iraq. The larger Cleveland-based 3rd Battalion lost a total of 16 Marines during August.
Citing security concerns, a Marine spokesman would not confirm Lima Company's movements, though he doubts that the entire battalion was now at Al Asad. "You cannot bring a large unit to one location quickly," Lt. Col. Mike Brown said on Friday.
Brown did say that Lima Company and the rest of the battalion are due at Camp LeJeune, N.C., early next month where members will undergo a brief period of post-deployment training. By the second week of October, the individual units are expected to return to their home bases, including the one in Columbus.
Edith Rye of Hamilton said she was "tickled pink" after her husband, Cpl. Frank Rye, told her on Thursday that he was now safe at the new base in Iraq. "I can't wait for him to get home," she said.
Ellie