Light Armored Reconnaissance puts a sniper's eye to counter smuggling

Photo By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez | Two Marines with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion designated marksman team watch the sun set north of Sahl Sinjar, Iraq, Aug. 4. The designated marksmen have been attached to 3rd LAR Bn. in order to assist them in counter-smuggling and counter-insurgent operations.  

SAHL SINJAR, IRAQ

09.12.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

SAHL SINJAR, Iraq — Marine snipers and designated marksmen have been operating across the vast Iraqi deserts since the outbreak of hostilities in 2003. As with all units operating in Iraq, past and present, they have found themselves evolving to meet the changing needs of the Iraqi military and political landscape.

Small teams of snipers are finding reasons to venture into the constantly shifting environment that exists in a place simply referred to as "outside the wire."

"Working with previously gathered information, we gather additional intelligence and conduct operations watching over possible insurgent hot spots, caches or [improvised explosive device] cells," said Sgt. Neftaly Estremera, a chief scout with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company. "We provide surveillance and [reconnaissance] capabilities for areas of interest."

As their larger parent unit, 3rd LAR Bn., moves around the desert, relying on its combat power by combining force with local military and public support, the designated marksman teams operate in the shadows, far from the public eye.

"The sniper's job is different," said Lance Cpl. Russell Injerd, an assistant team leader with 3rd LAR Bn. "While the team leader plans the missions, the assistant team leader is the supervisor. Having a job like this means that not only do you operate in the shadows, but you also work to ensure that when others are busy, you're filling in the gaps."

It is these qualities that Marines within the DMTs have found themselves liking most.

"I love operating; I mean really, what is there to not like," said Estremera. "I mean yes, the sand fleas tear you up, but at least you know you're actually making a difference. We've been able to stop [people trying] to come [across the border] illegally. It's getting to the point now where it's mainly just illegal cigarette smuggling. We've come a long way."

One of the more interesting facets of the marksman life is the ability to take creative approaches to mission accomplishment. This is something members of the team feel is not only essential, but also one of the more unique elements of the job.

"The guidance is pretty general," said Injerd. "It's a good line of work because you get to be creative with your mission planning; that's something not many units ever truly get to do."

A large part of mission planning is location. Snipers have the luxury of choosing where to establish themselves and how best to insert. While other, larger formations are limited by their loud engines and shouted squad commands, the DMTs can slip in and out once they've decided on where to conduct their work.

"We usually insert anywhere from one to two kilometers from the operating zone," added Injerd. "We'll go over the plan, mount up and then move to wherever it is that we feel we can accomplish the mission most effectively."

While many movies and books tend to emphasize the marksmanship skills of the Marine sniper and designated marksman, the men of the 3rd LAR Bn. DMTs find that their true skills are in not having to fire a shot at all. Much like policemen around the world, the snipers are there to gather evidence and gain a visual, while keeping themselves unseen.

After the 'insert', described as the trickiest part by Injerd, the team goes back to one of the fundamentals of infantry operations: communications.

"Once we have communications established, we check out the area and move in to our selected [position]," explained Injerd. "From there we set up and watch out. If we catch the bad guys committing crimes like smuggling, we call in for ground units, and we're their eyes until they get to the area."

And so, as the needs of Operation Iraqi Freedom change, so do the Marine snipers that are deployed in support. For even though the deadliest weapon in the world may very well be a Marine and his rifle, the most versatile weapon could quite possibly be a Marine sniper.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2009
• Date Posted: 09.12.2009 05:19
• Story ID: 38666
• Location: SAHL SINJAR, IQ