Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero | Cpl. Joshua T. Lewis, left, and Lance Cpl. Christopher Sawyer, combat engineers with...... read more read more
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By Jeffery Cordero
III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — More than 60 Marines and sailors with 3rd Marine Division, returned to Okinawa from a seven-month Iraq deployment Aug. 29, 2008.
Most of the Marines were assigned to the Schwab-based Combat Assault Battalion and were deployed to Anbar province in support of the division's Hawaii based 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
The unit did not suffer any casualties during the deployment.
The battalion's engineer and truck platoons conducted force protection patrols and trained the Iraqi army in force protection measures. Among other projects, engineer Marines helped Iraqis build two medical clinics.
"[The Marines] kept their heads high because they knew we were making a difference," said Staff Sgt. James L. Peebles, platoon sergeant for engineer platoon.
There were times when things became a little difficult for the Marines, said Cpl. Richard Lemus, a wrecker operator with truck platoon.
Aside from vehicle recovery truck platoon Marines had to provide around-the-clock transportation support for the battalion.
"Sometimes it got stressful. You work all day then have to drive all night," Lemus said.
The long hours and being constantly on call enabled the Marines and sailors, most of whom were on their first deployment, to gain experience they could not have received elsewhere, Lemus said.
"Out here in Okinawa, we don't get a lot of calls for vehicles being broken down," Lemus said. "Over in Iraq, the calls are constant so we gained a lot of knowledge on everything we do."
After coming off the plane and stepping onto Okinawan soil for the first time in seven months, the Marines and sailors formed inside a hangar where they were briefed by Col. Thomas J. Connally, the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 3rd MarDiv., and Lt. Col. Daniel L. Yaroslaski, the commanding officer of CAB, about the differences of being deployed to a combat zone and being back in garrison. In this first step of an in-depth transition process, the leaders explained to the Marines and sailors, how the changes will affect them and what they can do to get accustomed to the differences.
Yaroslaski urged the Marines and sailors to continue to talk to each other about their experiences in Iraq and to take their time getting readjusted to life on Okinawa.
For Lemus and many others it was welcome guidance. All Marines and sailors who were asked said they were most looking forward to getting back to their barracks for some well deserved relaxation.
What made the deployment significant, Peebles said, is the level of proficiency displayed by the Marines and sailors despite the overall inexperience of the unit. Less than 10 of those deployed were on a consecutive deployment.
"They performed higher than my expectations," Peebles said.
| Date Taken: | 09.05.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2008 01:12 |
| Story ID: | 23223 |
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| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 118 |
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