Serving to protect: Security Marines conduct operations in Afghanistan

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Woodall | Marines with General Support Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) conduct a patrol through a town near Patrol Base Amir in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Nov. 16. Since arriving in Afghanistan last month, the Marines have conducted approximately 25 missions ranging from site security to vehicle recovery throughout their area of operations.  

CAMP DWYER, AFGHANISTAN

11.16.2010

Story by Cpl. Daniel Woodall 

1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – Marines with General Support Security Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) conducted a mounted patrol from here to Patrol Base Amir, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 16.

By conducting mounted and dismounted patrols, recovering disabled vehicles and providing tactical protection for personnel in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Marine security units are creating a safer environment for all coalition forces operating in Afghanistan.

According to 1st Lt. Greg Cummings, 25, platoon commander, GS Security Platoon, Headquarters & Service Company, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD), his platoon conducts several security-related missions to include personnel escorts, detainee handling, vehicle recovery and fixed-site security in support of their battalion as well as Regimental Combat Team 1.

Here in Afghanistan, the GS Security Platoon retains the basic concepts of force protection but alters the scope of their mission to adapt to a combat environment, said Sgt. Louis Henriquez, 28, section leader, 2nd Section, GS Security Platoon, Headquarters & Service Company, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD). In order to remain mobile and accomplish these missions within their vast area of operations, the platoon has been augmented with Marines from CLB-3’s motor transport companies.

“Our job is to provide security, whether it’s on a convoy, fixed site or on a flight line, and we’ve trained to do this here for more than a year,” said Henriquez, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.

The platoon formed in August 2009 and hit the ground running, said Sgt. Robert Torres, 26, section leader, 1st Section, GS Security Platoon, Headquarters & Service Company, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD). Once established, the unit began training for specific missions unique to a combat deployment. Besides convoy operations and mounted patrols, their pre-deployment training included small-unit, combat tactics.

“We’re structured like an infantry unit and it [showed] in our training,” said Torres, a native of Decatur, Texas. “Even though we’re with a logistics unit, our comprehensive training aids the battalion. We’re a well-rounded unit and we have the capabilities to support our battalion in several ways.”

Including vehicle recovery missions, GS Security Platoon has conducted more than 20 missions since arriving here last month. The platoon will continue to provide security and recovery assistance to units within RCT-1’s area of operations throughout their deployment.

• Date Taken: 11.16.2010
• Date Posted: 11.21.2010 10:59
• Story ID: 60594
• Location: CAMP DWYER, AF