Seven Mary Three: Team Mustang patrols the highways

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson | Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Frazer, 21, a scout from Kissame, Fla., with Team Mustang, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, hands candy out to an Iraqi toddler during a patrol along Route Mobile in western Al Anbar province, Iraq, May 10. The Marines took time to visit citizens along the major highway to maintain peace and stability in the area.  

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ

05.17.2008

Story by Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team – 5

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq – "Route Mobile is a main artery in western Al Anbar province," said Sgt. Justin O. Smallwood, a scout squad leader with Team Mustang, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5. "It's our job to keep that road safe as well as maintain influence over its residents."

Marines with Team Mustang embark on these operations every day ensuring the residents between the cities of Rutbah and Ramadi are safe from danger. Eventually, this task will fall on the Iraqi highway patrol, but for now, Team Mustang is doing all they can to ensure safe roadways.

Team Mustang is a new company with 2nd LAR comprised of one platoon from each company in the battalion. The group was created to have a fast and mobile presence along one of the main highways of Iraq.

"We have a presence on Route Mobile to deny the enemy the ability of using the road to their advantage," said Staff Sgt. Charles F. Reynolds, 30, company gunnery sergeant, Team Mustang, from Franklin, Mass.

Since assuming control of the area from 3rd LAR, Team Mustang has hit the ground running, engaging in combat patrols throughout Route Mobile. They have started to work with the IHP as they prepare to take the reigns from coalition forces.

The Marines took time during a patrol on May 10 to visit citizens along Route Mobile to ensure there was no insurgent activity. They foot-patrolled through a large oasis along the highway the company calls "the woods" and handed out candy to the children who live there.

"It's a good experience having an opportunity to talk and interact with the people," said Smallwood, 23, from Great Falls, Va., who is on his second tour in Iraq. "Learning how the citizens have changed from last year is great. They are good people that are very cooperative and welcoming."

Team Mustang will continue to maintain security of the highway with the IHP and ensure insurgents do not harm the citizens of the area until the day they hand over all of the responsibilities to the Iraqi security forces.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2008
• Date Posted: 05.17.2008 06:54
• Story ID: 19492
• Location: AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IQ