2nd LAR assumes control of western Anbar

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Russell E. Smith, battalion commander of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, tours around Trebil, Iraq, with Maj. Howard Gordon, commander, Border Transition Team of the 3rd, 5th, and 2nd Iraqi Border Brigade, during an initial visit of 2nd LAR. The battalion assumed control of western Anbar province, March 31, to continue operations to maintain a safer and more sustained Iraq and its people. (Photo/Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson)  

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, IRAQ

03.31.2008

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

By Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson
Regimental Combat Team 5

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq – Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, took the reigns from 3rd LAR Bn., March 31, to continue the mission of making a safer and better Iraq.

2nd LAR Bn., is an infantry-based, light armored vehicle battalion stationed out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene, N.C., that will be operating in the western Anbar province of Iraq. The battalion arrived, March 23, to begin familiarization with their area of operations for the next seven months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The battalion will have several missions to conduct, but one of the most important is the continued transition from coalition forces to Iraqi security forces controlling the area.

"We are here to return the control of the country to the Iraqi people and to provide them with a self-sufficient and stable government," said Maj. Stuart M. Harness, executive officer of 2nd LAR Bn.

Harness added the battalion's other main goal is to bring everyone back home safely.

Lt. Col. Russell E. Smith, commanding officer, 2nd LAR Bn., began his command of the area of operations by visiting the city of Trebil, Iraq, to see firsthand the Iraqi border patrol and the citizens of the city.

"Since the Marines came to Iraq in 2003, my country is a lot better than before," said Aziz Shalan, a commando with Iraqi border patrol. "Life is good here."

3rd LAR Bn., is scheduled to return to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., after completing a seven-month deployment here.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2008
• Date Posted: 04.04.2008 14:27
• Story ID: 18075
• Location: CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, IQ