Fighting 13th ashore in Iraq

[thedrifter]

Fighting 13th ashore in Iraq
Submitted by: 13th MEU
Story Identification Number: 2003102181244
Story by Capt. Bill Pelletier



(October 15, 2003) -- AL-FAW PENINSULA, Iraq (Oct. 15) - Marines and Sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) arrived in southern Iraq this week, setting up on the Al-Faw peninsula, south of the city of al-Basrah, to conduct security and stability operations and provide humanitarian assistance to the people of southern Iraq.

The 13th MEU (SOC), under the direction of the British-led Multi-National Division (Southeast), is tasked with disrupting oil smuggling and other illegal activities on the peninsula as well as providing medical and dental assistance and other humanitarian aid to the residents of the Al-Faw.

Tuesday, the Marines got a visit from the Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Graham Lamb CMG OBE , who welcomed the spirit of teamwork and the additional manpower that Battalion Landing Team 1/1, MEU Service Support Group-13 and HMM-163 (Rein.) bring to the effort.

"Your presence in Al-Faw sends the signal that U.S and U.K. forces are working together to make things better for the people of Iraq," said Lamb. "They associate our presence with goodwill, which is what we're here to provide."

Smugglers use the Shat-al-Basrah and Shat-al-Arab rivers, which border the peninsula on the east and west, to transport illegally-obtained oil, which they sell in other countries at a hefty profit. The smugglers tap into existing oil pipelines, which can be found all over the peninsula, and pump the oil into tanker trucks or barrels in other vehicles.

They then take the supply to barges and ships on one of the two rivers, where the oil is transported out of Iraq. Another technique smugglers use is shooting holes in the pipeline, allowing the oil to leak out onto the ground, then using pumps to suck it into the transport vehicles.

Col. Mike Regner, 13th MEU commander, said his Marines and Sailors were excited about the mission and that the U.S. force shares the Brits' enthusiasm for working with multi-national forces to get southern Iraq back on its feet.

"I'm so glad for these great young men and women that they're getting the chance to put their skills to use in a real-world mission," said Regner. "I'm glad they're getting to do it in a country that needs the type of stability and aid we're here to provide, and we're all very grateful for the support and guidance our friends from the United Kingdom and the Multi-National Division are providing."

Marines are conducting foot and mobile patrols to learn about what's going on in the local area and discourage would-be thieves and smugglers, operating in 100-degree-plus temperatures during the day to talk with locals to determine not only where illegal activities might be occurring, but also making contact with local leaders to determine how MEU forces can help the Al-Faw populace by assisting with medical and dental needs, a task perfectly suited for MSSG-13's medical augment team.

Bordered by the two rivers and the Northern Arabian Gulf, the peninsula was once a thriving marshland, home to one of the world's largest date-growing industries. The region was devastated when Saddam Hussein dammed the peninsula, destroying the date crop and cutting off one of the largest sources of income for the local population, once referred to as "Marsh Arabs."

As he prepared to go out on patrol with Javelins platoon, Weapons Co., 1/1, to investigate suspected smuggling sites and operations, 26-year-old Lance Cpl. John Rush noted that whatever mission the MEU gets tasked with, the Marines have the confidence in their training and leadership to execute that mission successfully.

"It's good to be out here doing something for these people," said the dust-covered Placerville, Ca., native. "Whatever it is you have to do that makes a difference, that's the mission, and it looks like we're making a difference here."

"That's why I joined the Corps."

Once the 13th MEU (SOC) completes its mission, it will rejoin Expeditionary Strike Group-One, the seven-ship Naval force in which the MEU serves as the Strike Warfare component. For more information on the MEU and its activities, visit www.13meu.usmc.mil.



UM QASR, Iraq (Oct. 16)-- 1st Lt. Greg B. Mikesell, platoon commander, 1st Platoon, Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, the Ground Combat Element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), works with a civilian Arabic translator and Iraqi Police conducting vehicle searches at a check point near the South Port of Um Qasr Oct. 16. The Fighting 13th, along with the British-led Multi-National Division (Southeast), are conducting Operation Sweeney, a joint mission to disrupt oil smuggling and other criminal activity on the Al-Faw peninsula. 13th MEU(SOC) forces are also conducting riverine patrols as well as humanitarian efforts all over the peninsula.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...3?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

EOD's explosive efforts provide humanitarian assistance during Op Sweeney
Submitted by: 13th MEU
Story Identification Number: 2003102195118
Story by SSgt. April D. Tuggle



AL-FAW PENINSULA, Iraq(October 20, 2003) -- BOOM! The sound of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment, MEU Service Support Group-13, providing its special kind of humanitarian assistance could be heard throughout the northern portion of the city of Al-Faw, Iraq, Thursday.

Marines of EOD Det., MSSG-13, the combat service support element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), conducted a "shot" to dispose of unexploded ordnance found behind the Iraqi Police vehicle check point located on the main road into the city.

The ordnance was originally found when EOD Marines were out with Marines of Charlie Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, who were assisting Iraqi Police at the check point as they conducted routine searches. The EOD techs did a sweep of the police building and surrounding area and unexpectedly found numerous types of ordnance in the loose dirt behind the building, according to SSgt. Aden Morones, an EOD technician with the detachment who participated in the shot.

The area was recently bulldozed, which was likely the reason the old projectiles and mines became visible on the surface, said SSgt. Jeffery A. Bratcher, the other EOD technician involved.

More than 50 pieces of ordnance were found in the area, including several types of mortars and projectiles, landmine bodies and fuses, according to Bratcher.

Although the items are unlikely to randomly detonate, if someone were to pick up, kick, or otherwise move one, the ordnance could be deadly, said Bratcher, a Rabbit Ridge, Ky. native.

Morones and Bratcher also cleared the local soccer field of five 60mm mortar rounds Oct. 15.

"Kids play there all the time," 30-year-old Bratcher said. "Some locals told us a kid was blown up about two months ago from a mortar in the soccer field. Now they can play there safely."

The two plan to do some clearing of areas just outside the soccer field where other ordnance has been found. In addition, a controlled burn of small-arms munitions collected in Al-Faw during patrols and operations by Charlie Btry. and MSSG-13 Marines was conducted Saturday.

The EOD mission during Operation Sweeney, the operation 13th MEU is currently assisting the British-led Multi-National Division, South East with on the Al-Faw Peninsula of Iraq, is humanitarian and tactical in nature, according to LtCol. Scott A. Dalke, commanding officer, MSSG-13.

"Every piece of ordnance EOD collects and destroys is one less piece an Iraqi child can be hurt by," said Dalke. "From that standpoint it is extremely humanitarian. It protects the population we're trying to assist."

"From a tactical standpoint, it prevents IEDs (improvised explosive devices) from being made," said Dalke.

IEDs have been used against forces conducting missions throughout Iraq in recent months, particularly in the northern regions of the country. They are a potential threat through out the country that negatively affects stabilization efforts.

While the corpsmen provide medical assistance, engineers get generators working to power the town and supply makes sure the Marines have the equipment available to conduct missions, the EOD detachment continues to blast away with their unique kind of humanitarian assistance.

For more information about the 13th MEU and the Marines of MSSG-13 visit the MEU website at www.13meu.usmc.mil.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...4?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger