Marine Corps New Briefs

[thedrifter]

Marine Corps New Briefs <br />
---Reservist charged in attempted murder <br />
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A Marine reservist was arrested in Ionia, Mich., on Nov. 13 and charged with eight crimes, including allegedly assaulting his...

[thedrifter]

Around the Corps
Compiled from military and other public sources.

---Iraq

Operation Steel Curtain continues

Military commanders reported that forces taking part in Operation Steel Curtain had cleared the majority of Ubaydi, Iraq, but were to continue searches to ensure all insurgents and improvised bombs had been found, according to a Nov. 15 Marine Corps press release.

Coalition forces had discovered and destroyed 36 weapons caches since the operation began Nov. 5. They had also found 107 IEDs and mines, according to the release.

The Defense Department said six Marines had been killed during the most recent week of the operation.

Iraqi troops and U.S. forces were providing security, food, water and blankets to about 1,400 civilians displaced by the fighting.

According to the release, Operation Steel Curtain was intended to restore Iraqi sovereign control along the border with Syria and deal with terrorists operating throughout the Qaim region.

U.S. forces fight insurgents in Ramadi

Iraqi army troops and Marines engaged armed groups of insurgents throughout Ramadi, Iraq, on Nov. 17, according to a Marine Corps press release.

U.S. forces estimated the attackers’ numbers exceeded 50 fighters. Officials believed the attacks were planned to be simultaneous but lacked coordination, the release said.

Most of the fighting centered on the Abdullah al-Karber Mosque in central Ramadi, from which Marines reported sustaining small-arms fire. A nearby U.S. Army outpost also reported receiving enemy fire from the area surrounding the mosque.

Civil Affair Marines patrol on foot

Marines with 6th Civil Affairs Group and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines’ guard force conducted a foot patrol through the northern end of Ramadi, Iraq, on Nov. 5, according to a Marine Corps news release.

The leathernecks visited homes, schools and businesses to find out how the leathernecks could help rebuild the community.

CAG Marines have patrolled the city and met with community leaders since the end of major combat operations.

In the past, the release said, an infantry platoon usually joined the CAG Marines for increased security. This time, the guard force leathernecks of 3/7 provided additional security, which allowed the Marines to patrol on foot.

CAG Marines said using the guard force made the patrols less intimidating for local residents.

According to Cpl. Robert Shuman, the Iraqis were more receptive of the Marines on foot.

“The people seemed more responsive,” he said.

---Pakistan

Devil dogs study MASH’s methods

Four members of Okinawa, Japan-based III Marine Expeditionary Force’s advance group traveled to Pakistan from Chaklala Air Field on Nov. 12 via helicopter to visit an Army’s field hospital and see how it does business, according to a Stars and Stripes newspaper article.

The Marines and sailors were to evaluate the Army’s 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital operations and gain insight on how best to run 3rd Medical Battalion’s Bravo Surgical Company’s new medical facility, according to Navy Lt. James Quick, the detachment’s operations officer.

The medical facility will be set up in the mountain town of Shinkiari.

The 212th MASH deployed to Pakistan from Germany last month, the article said.

“We wanted to take away some lessons learned and implement those into our operation to increase the effectiveness of our services,” Quick said.