Courtesy Photo | Motor Transportation Marines of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II...... read more read more
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Cpl. Heidi E. Loredo
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Jan. 6, 2006) -- Corporal Eric J. Bell poked his head down from the gunner's turret and spoke in a monotone voice to the Marines inside the humvee, "Well, Happy New Year guys."
"Yeah, Happy New Year to you too," responded Cpl. Thomas A. Wagar, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle.
On the final night of the year under blackout conditions, the Motor Transportation Marines of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), did what they do best--get from point A to point B with the least amount of challenges to face.
While driving down a desolate road on their 194th mission in Iraq, Marines and Sailors remained on high alert as they passed through a dangerous road where troops often encounter resistance from opposing forces.
As they drove 40 miles to and from their destination beneath a star-filled sky occasionally illuminated with a distant flare, the bitter 37 degrees Fahrenheit coldness nearly froze the face of every gunner. But, neither the near-freezing temperature nor the lingering possibility of enemy encounters could deter them from their mission.
Their task was to assist foreign national drivers transport gear to and from Ramadi.
"Aside from enemy action, our biggest obstacle is breakdowns and organizing the (foreign nationals)," said 1st Lt. Frank Cardamone, convoy commander. "Securing a 60-vehicle convoy is difficult and requires detailed planning and proper security posturing. We train to do this and have learned a lot throughout this deployment."
Riding in a convoy more than 5 miles long with with foreign nationals can bring about more obstacles to hurdle for the motor transport team such as communication issues and language barriers.
"They make wrong turns and get lost," said Cardamone. "The (foreign nationals) do not do maintenance on their trucks therefore we are forced to do recoveries for broken-down trucks. They run out of fuel occasionally."
The Motor Transportation Marines prove they have the ability to get behind the wheel at moments notice. Since their arrival to Camp Fallujah in February, the unit has logged over 10,000 accident-free miles throughout Al Anbar province without suffering any casualties.
Their spot-free record is attributed to the training conducted during the Revised Combined Arms Exercise package at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., as well as stability and support operations at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., and an intensive convoy training package at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The unit also trained with 2nd Second Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company at Fort Pickett, Va., for a week last January.
Aside from their training, Motor Transportation trained other units as well.
"While we were at Camp Lejeune we trained 8th Communications Battalion, Transportation Support Battalion, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 5th Civil Affairs Group and the Headquarters element of the II MEF on convoy operations," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Mack, Motor Transportation chief. "When we [arrived] here we trained 2nd Military Police Battalion, Combined Anti-Armor Team 3 and the 7th Division Military Transition Team. We are going to do Night Vision Goggle training tonight as we have done for a lot of individuals. We have licensed over 30 drivers and are often tasked with conducting safe combat driving classes."
Not only are the Marines responsible for maintaining their own equipment, they provide their own convoy security as well.They are trained to look for improvised explosive devices, conduct immediate action drills, mount and dismount their vehicles, use crew-served weapons and operate in darkness using night vision devices.
"We usually do three convoys per week," said Cardamone. "They are escort missions transporting tractor trailers loaded with supplies from forwarding operating base to forward operating base. We also do tactical moments to other FOBs while moving military gear and have done main security route patrols as well."
The convoy security team is a II MEF (FWD) asset and is tasked by the G-4. Their missions are varied and range throughout the country. Since their arrival they have been to the Syrian border, the Jordanian border, as far south as An Nasiriyah and all points in between.
Motor Transportation's mission is to deliver and pick up supplies, passengers and other miscellaneous gear and the Marines will continue to brave the roads until February when they return to Camp Lejeune.
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2006 11:35 |
| Story ID: | 5056 |
| Location: | FALLUJAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 349 |
| Downloads: | 16 |
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