Photo By Staff Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes | Lance Corporal Adam Phumalee, a native of New York and a rifleman with Bravo...... read more read more
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PATROL BASE PASERLAY, Helmand province, Afghanistan — Someone could easily assume the nickname “Bad Mobile” was coined from a Marine’s poor driving skills across the rugged Afghan terrain, but when it comes to Bravo Company’s mobile unit, this is anything but the case. The Marines of the company’s Quick Reaction Force are known as Bad Mobile and are very good at what they do.
The Marines who make up this unique unit are from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, also known as “Bad Company,” which belongs to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, and they work tirelessly to support their fellow infantrymen at the drop of a hat.
Bad Mobile, mostly comprised of infantry riflemen, is tasked to conduct mounted patrols, in which they maneuver through southern Trek Nawa looking for or investigating suspicious activity, deliver much-needed supplies to their brothers-in-arms, and when needed, perform dismounted foot patrols.
“They are regularly doing vehicle checkpoints, mounted and dismounted patrols along the ground lines of communications, as well as logistics runs,” said Capt. Scott M. Silva, an East Bridgewater, Mass., native and the commanding officer of Bad Company. “They are really covering down on a lot of must-have assets and work we have to have done. It falls squarely on their shoulders, and they are able to complete the missions without any issues.”
The mobile unit, consisting is of roughly 20 Marines and one sailor, is prepared to support any hour, day or night, whether the battalion sends down a task to investigate an area or one of the other platoons starts taking enemy contact and needs to be reinforced.
“We get briefed on what needs to happen, whether it be a logistical run or say (our) battalion sees something (in our area) and they need it to be checked out — they send us,” said 1st Lt. Justin R. Tabaka, a Rio Rancho, N.M., native and the platoon commander for 1st Platoon. “When it comes down from the top, we spool up the crew we are taking with us and we are in the trucks in no time — (we) push out to carry out whatever needs to be done.”
Bad Mobile recently received a call from the battalion to go out with its counterparts in the Afghan National Army and search an area for a suspicious individual. Like clockwork they were in their trucks and headed to the assigned grid coordinate in no time. The Marines loaded up a trailer as soon as they returned from that mission to run supplies to one of the other platoons It doesn’t matter the time of day or the task, Bad Mobile buckles up and trucks forward with whatever the company needs to have accomplished.
“Most companies do have mobile sections that are dedicated to QRF or resupply, but we have been able to use these guys in every fashion,” said Silva, a graduate of Bridgewater State University. “They are a massive component and reason we are so successful.”
There is good reason why the Marines of Bad Mobile have been so successful in their missions: they take the time to do their job the right way 100 percent of the time, according to Silva
“Anywhere there is a choke point or a history of (an IED) blast, we will get out and sweep (with detectors),” said Tabaka, a 2009 graduate of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. “We (also) do regular vehicle maintenance making sure everything is good to go.”
Silva, who is solely responsible for directing the company’s efforts, said his Marines in Bad Mobile are good men who understand what is expected of them and will never let him down.
“Their attention to detail when it comes to choke points within the vehicles — they understand every choke point has to be swept. Anything that doesn’t look right, they sweep the area for IEDs,” said Silva. “Their work ethic ensuring the Marines are following the safety measures; using the (metal detectors); knowing how the enemy wants to take advantage of terrain, and just being cognizant of that and combating it with their own intelligence has been outstanding.”
It is their attention to detail which has lead to Bad Mobile finding several IEDs, potentially saving innocent lives. Tabaka believes actions like these speak to the character of each one of his Marines.
“I think they are awesome. I couldn’t have ever imagined a better group of guys working for me. I don’t have to tell them anything; it just gets done,” said Tabaka. “They are phenomenal Marines. They know their job is serving a good purpose, and they do it to the best of their abilities with no complaints.”
Editor’s note: Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, is currently assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
| Date Taken: | 09.07.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2011 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 76590 |
| Location: | PATROL BASE PASERLAY, HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,013 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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