2nd LAR brings lasting security to Helmand province

Photo By Sgt. Benjamin Crilly | Lance Cpl. William S. Gamble, a scout with Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. Benjamin Crilly | Lance Cpl. William S. Gamble, a scout with Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, searches the interior of a vehicle at a vehicle checkpoint in the desert of Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 16. 2nd platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd LAR Bn. maintained the check point for 36 days along Route Red providing security for convoy routes.  see less | View Image Page

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.23.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Crilly 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marines of Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion wrapped up five months of security operations in Helmand province, turning their area of operations over to the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

The battalion's presence allowed them to provide a unique aspect of security in the deserts and the outskirts of towns by their presence laying the foundation for their successors to build upon.

The company was in the far western deserts of Helmand province, maintaining a screen line and pushing across the deserts. They pushed through the deserts, conducting interdictions and cutting off drug lines. This allowed them to prevent drug smuggling and weapons trafficking to and from Marjah. They were able to prevent Taliban fighters from fleeing to the desert from Sistani.

"Everyone that was coming out of Marjah knew that the tanks and LAVs were out here," said Capt. Jared A. Laurin, the commanding officer for Alpha Company from Xenia, Ohio. "Nobody was able to out run us. We owned the desert with those vehicles."

During Operation Moshtarak, 2nd LAR took a new position, providing security in the Sistani Gap as well as the western and southern fronts. This enabled the company to provide a security presence in the gap that was unique, since their vehicles are so mobile.

The company formed a screen line in the desert, south of Marjah along Route Red, for the later portion of their deployment. Moving their presence to the region and running vehicle checkpoints improved the security of the region, and also afforded Marines the opportunity to establish a connection with the local nationals.

Not being able to distinguish the Taliban from the local population was hard for Marines when conducting operation and turned out to be one of the biggest challenges the battalion faced, said Cpl. Brandon T. Templeton, a team leader with Alpha Company.

The lack of trust with the local population also challenged the battalion. Initially establishing trust with the local nationals was difficult because of the cultural differences and the fact that people had not really encountered Marines before, said Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Murphy, a crewman from Brigantine, N.J.

"You still don't know who the bad guys are," said Templeton, from Garden City, Mich. "They aren't carrying around weapons like we are."

The Marines and sailors of 2nd LAR conducted 2,500 interdictions over their time here, interacting with more than 13,000 local nationals, distributing goods and building trust with the local population. By the end of their deployment, the company had locals who would come through the checkpoints to talk to the Marines there, said Cpl. J. D. Rogers, a scout team leader with Alpha Company, 2nd LAR. This led to the Marines being able to develop a good rapport with the locals in the area.

The battalion also encountered improvised explosive devices.

"Everywhere you go, you have to get your mine sweeper out and search their area," said Templeton. "Anywhere can be an IED."

Using the assets available was not the only thing that enabled Marines to locate IEDs and provide protection for major routes. The presence of the battalion being there and the trust of the local population worked together to keep IEDs from being planted and local even tipped off Marines to the locations of IEDs, said Rogers, from Toomsboro, Ga.

The trust developed and the people enrolled in BATS will continue to improve the security of Helmand province after 2nd LAR is home. 1st LAR Bn. will continue security operations in the area and distinguish Taliban fighters from the population. Marines of 2nd LAR also turned over all their standard operating procedures they developed over their deployment setting their replacements up for success. 1st LAR learned how to run VCPs and conduct interdictions.

"It's winning the trust of the local people. We established a rapport with the local people that has never been established before," said Rodgers. "If 1st LAR can continue that trust, then this area will be Taliban-free."

Marines of Alpha Company, 2nd LAR, spent five months conducting security operations in support of the Afghan national army and can return home knowing that they contributed to the success of 1st LAR Bn. and overall security in the Helmand province.