Mobile Marines reflect on epic summer

Photo By Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde | A Marine with 3rd Platoon Mobile Section, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prepares a Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the turret of an armored vehicle before a mounted patrol. To date, the highlight of this deployment for the mobile section’s Marines came during the summer when the section was responsible for overseeing security for the construction of Route Alligator, a tactically important road in the platoon’s area of operations.  

PATROL BASE BEATLEY, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

12.15.2011

Story by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde  

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

PATROL BASE BEATLEY, Helmand province, Afghanistan – The mobile section of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, has provided reliable support for the platoon throughout its deployment by conducting a myriad of logistical missions and frequently supporting dismounted patrols. The section’s Marines have worked tirelessly since arriving in Afghanistan and continue to provide support as needed as the battalion nears its return to the United States.

The highlight of the Marines’ deployment so far occurred this summer when the section was tasked with providing security for Navy Seabees as the sailors completed Route Alligator, a tactically important section of road in the platoon’s area of operations. The Marines and sailors faced repeated attacks by insurgents during Alligator’s construction, despite the large coalition presence participating in the project.

“We spent almost two months doing convoy security and route security for the Navy Seabees while they were building Route Alligator and encountered (several improvised explosive devices) on that road, small-arms fire, and (rocket-propelled grenades),” said Flower Mound, Texas, native Cpl. Timothy Gruber, a vehicle commander with 3rd Platoon Mobile Section. “We took three IED attacks to our vehicles alone; one RPG hit though one of our trucks – everybody in our section has been blown up at least once.”

The Marines were forced to battle fatigue as well as a determined enemy, and near-sleepless nights were common during certain points of the mission.

“We spent five days straight out on the road providing security during the day, and we’d be static at night, just driving up and down the road,” said Gruber, 22. “(The section leader’s) truck would take half the road; my truck would take the other half. It was like this for literally five days straight. There was no complaining or anything; everybody was putting out all they could. We came over here running skeleton crews on vehicles, so the fact that we even managed to do that was impressive.”
Other days held less fighting and a more regular sleep cycle. Regardless, even the slowest of days required many hours of hard work.

“We’d wake up when it was light out and work all day going to and from (Camp) Hanson, taking gravel down there, sitting out there all day long, making sure the Seabees weren’t getting shot at,” said Mantua, Ohio, native Sgt. Kevin Siska, the 3rd Platoon Mobile Section leader.

Route Alligator has been operational since its completion in early September. The advantages of having the road open are obvious: a convoy between PB Beatley and nearby Combat Outpost Coutu took four hours before the road’s completion. Now, travel between the positions takes about 15 minutes using Route Alligator. The road also facilitates travel for local residents, promoting commerce and access through the area.
“I think the Marines should be real proud of the fact that Alligator’s open now because from a tactical standpoint, it’s absolutely vital to what (3rd Platoon) is doing,” said Vancouver, Wash., native 1st Lt. Jordan Harris, the commanding officer of 3rd Platoon. It’s definitely a big accomplishment – I know (Siska’s) guys are proud.”

Day-to-day operations have become more routine for the mobile section since the road’s completion, and it has been able to focus more on resupplies and helping the platoon more directly with patrols. The Marines still work hard every day, but the opening of Alligator has made the area safer and allowed the Marines to be more efficient – Alligator’s completion was a major victory for the platoon that seemed to deflate the enemy.

“Once we completed Alligator, that was the turning point for this (area), I think,” said Gruber, a graduate of Marcus High School in Flower Mound. “(Insurgents) were fighting tooth and nail to keep that road from getting built because they knew that the mobility we’d have would be unstoppable at that point.”

Editor’s note: Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, is currently attached to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, presently assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 in 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 Force 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: 12.15.2011
• Date Posted: 12.15.2011 05:12
• Story ID: 81412
• Location: PATROL BASE BEATLEY, HELMAND PROVINCE, AF