Photo By Master Sgt. Dorian Gardner | Lance Cpl. Colby Rice, a field artillery cannoneer crewman with India Battery, 3rd...... read more read more
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KAJAKI, Afghanistan – Constantly tested by enemy forces and improvised explosive devices, the Marines of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, make sure insurgents know they are not welcome at Kajaki Dam.
As insurgent activity grew in the region, civilians were routed from their homes. Being brought in to protect the area, Marines at Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge have been keeping a keen eye on the dam and a steady finger on the trigger.
“The villages here are completely abandoned; the only time people go in there is when they are planting IEDs,” said Capt. Thomas Kearns, the India Battery executive officer.
The afternoon of Sept. 28, a platoon-sized element of Marines moved from FOB Zeebrugge to place themselves in areas known for being scattered with IED’s and enemy fighters.
The mission of India Battery Marines is to protect the Kajaki Dam and force the enemy back. The Marines set out to do just that. They patrolled along the Helmand River searching for IEDs, suspicious activity and insurgents.
Resent information was passed to the Marines that insurgents were using the ratlines and abandoned villages near FOB Zeebrugge to slowly move in on the dam, as well as conceal weapons and IED-making materials.
Marines of India Battery not only monitor the enemy’s movement, but also place themselves amongst the enemy to eliminate this threat.
“A ratline is a known path that offers cover and concealment so someone moving through can’t be easily seen,” said Kearns, 26, from Bordentown, N.J. “[Insurgents] have been using these routes through the abandoned villages as ingress and egress routes for planting their IEDs.”
“We often see them using these routes at night,” he added.
Although the Marines in Kajaki have successfully occupied the dam and protected it from enemy forces, each day proves to bring new challenges, keeping the Battery on its toes.
“The enemy has never really experienced the fight found in a United States Marine.
They try to get gutsy every now and then, using mortars and rocket propelled grenades, and sometimes IEDs, but with our constant presence and aggressive tactics, I think they are beginning to realize they shouldn’t be coming around here,” Sgt. Christopher Farias, squad leader for 2nd squad, 1st platoon, concluded.
Taking the fight to enemy, the Marines of India Battery continue to keep the Kajaki Dam secure from insurgent control, establishing a foundation of security for the local population to safely return and reclaim their villages surrounding the dam.
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2010 13:06 |
| Story ID: | 57373 |
| Location: | KAJAKI, AF |
| Web Views: | 555 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, Marines patrol, keep Kajaki Dam safe, by Cpl Daniel Blatter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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