thedrifter
10-27-03, 05:10 AM
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.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003102182938/$file/031016-M-4339L-002LO.jpg
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/mcn2000.nsf/main5/05B23E0C4FDC1DA585256DC600431593?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
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.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003102182938/$file/031016-M-4339L-002LO.jpg
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/mcn2000.nsf/main5/05B23E0C4FDC1DA585256DC600431593?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: