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thedrifter
07-22-07, 08:09 AM
MARSOC Marines ‘tough it out’ in Gereshk
CJSOTF-A Public Affairs

GERESHK, AFGHANISTAN (CJSOTF-A Public Affairs(July 19, 2007) -- For Coalition units serving in southern Afghanistan during summer months, the weather conditions are ideal for night operations, industrial strength air conditioning, afternoon naps and working indoors.

For the Marine Special Operations Command unit that recently moved into a remote camp outside of Gereskh, Afghanistan, the idea of consistently having such luxuries as these is as far fetched as the existence of the tooth fairy.

“We’re used to moving into places that are not developed,” said a MARSOC gunnery sergeant. “We don’t need showers or hard structures to effectively operate. Those things are extra luxuries.”

The Marines were pleasantly surprised by a British officer who offered some of his unit’s near-antique tents upon arrival in Gereshk. They quickly set up a base of operations complete with sleeping tents and a tent for mechanics to work on vehicles during the day. The tents were modified to work with air conditioners they scrounged up in Kandahar, but the units can’t come close to beating the power of the Afghan sun.

“We turn them off during the day because it’s just a waste of power,” said one young Marine as he rested in the shade of the sleeping tent, sweat running down his face. “The best way to stay cool for us is just to find a spot where you get an occasional breeze and keep it. That, and eventually we get used to the weather as much as we can.”

All branches of the U.S. military take precautions to prevent troops from becoming heat casualties such as drinking plenty of water or taking frequent breaks, but these implements don’t take into account the comfort of a servicemember. Units that are transient by nature sometimes find nothing but a patch of dirt or an empty building to base operations from.

“Luckily, we have units here that support us with what they can spare,” said another MARSOC Marine. “We have showers, power and refrigerators; this place is the Ritz.”


Ellie