thedrifter
09-14-07, 06:46 AM
Reservists based in Roanoke called to Iraq
By Amanda Codispoti
981-3349
About 60 Marine reservists based in Roanoke have been called to serve in Iraq, the United States Marine Corps said Thursday.
The Marines, who are from B Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, leave Monday for three months of training in Twentynine Palms, Calif., before leaving for Iraq for up to 12 months.
The Marines were mobilized Monday. Most are from central and Southwest Virginia.
No additional details, such as the Marines' destination in Iraq or specific duties, were released.
During the company's most recent deployment in 2005, its duties included building bridges, breaching obstacles and other tasks that allow friendly troops to advance; laying land mines, destroying bridges and creating other obstacles to enemy movement; constructing bunkers, erecting small buildings and doing other general engineering.
The Marines spent about seven months in Iraq during that deployment.
Lance Cpl. Ronnie Earle, of Lynchburg, said he's looking forward to his second tour.
"I feel fine about it," he said. "I think it'll be a good experience."
During the 2005 deployment, his platoon blew up artillery shells that could have been used in improvised explosive devices, Earle said.
Earle, who lives in Lynchburg, plans on returning to George Mason University to study information technology when he get back from Iraq, he said.
Ellie
By Amanda Codispoti
981-3349
About 60 Marine reservists based in Roanoke have been called to serve in Iraq, the United States Marine Corps said Thursday.
The Marines, who are from B Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, leave Monday for three months of training in Twentynine Palms, Calif., before leaving for Iraq for up to 12 months.
The Marines were mobilized Monday. Most are from central and Southwest Virginia.
No additional details, such as the Marines' destination in Iraq or specific duties, were released.
During the company's most recent deployment in 2005, its duties included building bridges, breaching obstacles and other tasks that allow friendly troops to advance; laying land mines, destroying bridges and creating other obstacles to enemy movement; constructing bunkers, erecting small buildings and doing other general engineering.
The Marines spent about seven months in Iraq during that deployment.
Lance Cpl. Ronnie Earle, of Lynchburg, said he's looking forward to his second tour.
"I feel fine about it," he said. "I think it'll be a good experience."
During the 2005 deployment, his platoon blew up artillery shells that could have been used in improvised explosive devices, Earle said.
Earle, who lives in Lynchburg, plans on returning to George Mason University to study information technology when he get back from Iraq, he said.
Ellie