thedrifter
02-18-09, 07:59 AM
Security Company conquers complacency in Iraq
2/17/2009 By Cpl. M. M. Bravo , 2nd MLG Headquarters and Service Battalion (FWD)
CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq —The most dangerous enemy of Marines serving in Iraq is the threat of improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and complacency.
With the United States military assisting the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country, the level of violence in Iraq has significantly decreased. Unfortunately, when the level of violence decreases, the level of complacency can increase.
The Marines of Security Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2 are doing everything in their power to ensure complacency stays out of their daily routine.
Cpl. Corey D. Stewart, a vehicle commander with Security Company, was recalled to the Marine Corps to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the third time.
“[Compared to] being here in 2003 and 2005, the amount of action has gone down dramatically,” said Stewart. “The difference is night and day. When I was here last, there were IEDs and mortars all the time. Now, the [level of insurgent activity] has gone way down.”
“We’re rebuilding, and people are looking at us in a positive manner,” Stewart said. “They’re looking at us as a brother rather than a bully.”
Playing a vital role in the rebuilding of Iraq, Security Company has spent the past five months providing security for more than 100 missions, some of which were for civilian truck drivers delivering supplies to areas all across the Al Anbar province.
The supplies, from food and water to machinery and tanks, aided small units of Marines who worked directly with the Iraqi Army.
Cpl. Bradley M. Tobias, a vehicle commander with Security Co., explained the importance of providing security for the civilians and working together to complete the mission.
“We are the sword and the shield for the civilian contractors,” he said. “If it weren’t for us, these guys would be completely vulnerable to their surroundings. In a broad spectrum, it’s a one team, one fight, to complete the overall mission. We all have to do our part because the [end goal] is giving the Iraqis back the authority of protecting their country.”
Lance Cpl. Nicholas A. Rice, a driver with Security Co., explained that even though they have not had any recent insurgent attacks, they are still vigilant and maintain a combat mindset to be ready for anything.
“We don’t have many problems and we haven’t had any IED encounters,” said Rice, “but we’re still focused and doing things the same way we were when we got here.”
Maintaining that combat mindset and not becoming complacent takes discipline and team work. Security Company has several important components in their team that keep them vigilant and always ready to respond.
“We have a lot of experience and knowledge,” Tobias said. “We know how to complete the mission and we all know how to work as a cohesive unit. All of us have a different MOS, so we all have different specialties. When you put all of our skills together in any given situation, we can come up with an answer.”
Rice said with the outstanding leadership his noncommissioned officers and staff noncommissioned officers, he has the highest confidence in his team to train the incoming Marines to do the job as well or better than they did.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
For more information or contact MULTINATIONAL FOrCE – WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CE_PAO_WATCH_OFFICER@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL
Ellie
2/17/2009 By Cpl. M. M. Bravo , 2nd MLG Headquarters and Service Battalion (FWD)
CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq —The most dangerous enemy of Marines serving in Iraq is the threat of improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and complacency.
With the United States military assisting the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country, the level of violence in Iraq has significantly decreased. Unfortunately, when the level of violence decreases, the level of complacency can increase.
The Marines of Security Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2 are doing everything in their power to ensure complacency stays out of their daily routine.
Cpl. Corey D. Stewart, a vehicle commander with Security Company, was recalled to the Marine Corps to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the third time.
“[Compared to] being here in 2003 and 2005, the amount of action has gone down dramatically,” said Stewart. “The difference is night and day. When I was here last, there were IEDs and mortars all the time. Now, the [level of insurgent activity] has gone way down.”
“We’re rebuilding, and people are looking at us in a positive manner,” Stewart said. “They’re looking at us as a brother rather than a bully.”
Playing a vital role in the rebuilding of Iraq, Security Company has spent the past five months providing security for more than 100 missions, some of which were for civilian truck drivers delivering supplies to areas all across the Al Anbar province.
The supplies, from food and water to machinery and tanks, aided small units of Marines who worked directly with the Iraqi Army.
Cpl. Bradley M. Tobias, a vehicle commander with Security Co., explained the importance of providing security for the civilians and working together to complete the mission.
“We are the sword and the shield for the civilian contractors,” he said. “If it weren’t for us, these guys would be completely vulnerable to their surroundings. In a broad spectrum, it’s a one team, one fight, to complete the overall mission. We all have to do our part because the [end goal] is giving the Iraqis back the authority of protecting their country.”
Lance Cpl. Nicholas A. Rice, a driver with Security Co., explained that even though they have not had any recent insurgent attacks, they are still vigilant and maintain a combat mindset to be ready for anything.
“We don’t have many problems and we haven’t had any IED encounters,” said Rice, “but we’re still focused and doing things the same way we were when we got here.”
Maintaining that combat mindset and not becoming complacent takes discipline and team work. Security Company has several important components in their team that keep them vigilant and always ready to respond.
“We have a lot of experience and knowledge,” Tobias said. “We know how to complete the mission and we all know how to work as a cohesive unit. All of us have a different MOS, so we all have different specialties. When you put all of our skills together in any given situation, we can come up with an answer.”
Rice said with the outstanding leadership his noncommissioned officers and staff noncommissioned officers, he has the highest confidence in his team to train the incoming Marines to do the job as well or better than they did.
For more information on the ongoing mission in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, visit www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd.
For more information or contact MULTINATIONAL FOrCE – WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CE_PAO_WATCH_OFFICER@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL
Ellie