Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel, command senior enlisted for the International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan, gives Lance Cpl. Brandon McDowra a challenge coin, Sept. 26, 2012. Giving other service members a coin is a common tradition in the military.

By CPL. ED GALO

Marines with Scout Sniper Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6 and their attachments overlook the battlefield from a rooftop in Agha Ahmad, Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2012. The Marines with Scout Sniper Platoon and their attachments stood in an over watch position to provide surveillance and gather intelligence on the enemy as part during Operation Helmand Viper. (USMC Photo)

By CPL ED GALO

As rounds impact their rooftop, a team of scout snipers and other Marines keep calm and work to sight in on their enemies.

Marines with Scout Sniper Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines provided over watch as other Marines with Alpha Co. executed Operation Helmand Viper to disrupt insurgent activity in Agha Ahmad, Afghanistan, August 29, 2012.

As part of Operation Helmand Viper, the Marines with Alpha Co. interrupted enemy supply lines in the local area.

“I took my team out, and we provided surveillance of the battlefield for intelligence gathering,” said Cpl. Eric Mabry, scout sniper team leader, Alpha Co.

The Marines inserted via MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53E Super Stallions in the dark of the night to minimize enemy detection. Once they landed, they quickly cleared their way through compounds and found one suitable to operate from.

“The insert went well,” said Mabry of San Antonio. “But the original compound we planned on (using), we couldn’t really see much from there, so then we moved and we had pretty good eyes on from new our compound. We had good fields of view, good fields of fire.”

Not long after the team of snipers was in place, they took fire from the enemy. The attacks continued throughout most of the day.

“As the day progressed, we started taking some pretty accurate small arms fire, little bit of machine gun fire, some IDF,” he added. “From there we just attempted to locate the enemy and reduce the targets.”

The Marines kept vigilant, and despite limited cover on the rooftop, they searched the area from where they were taking fire. They saw a man off in the distance that seemed to be directing the enemy shooters.

“There he is! It’s a spotter,” shouted one of the Marines on the rooftop as he oriented everyone to the spotter’s location. The alleged spotter would look off into the distance towards the Marines’ location and then hide just before the Marines would get shot at.

They continued to observe the suspected spotter until they were absolutely sure that he was helping the enemy. Once they confirmed his actions, the Marines called to their higher command and requested permission to shoot the spotter.

Two shots, fired simultaneously from high powered rifles, eliminated the threat.

However, the shots still continued and were becoming more accurate. The small arms and machine gun fire sounded like it was barely inches over their heads.

They decided to fire an FGM-148 Javelin missile at the wall where some of the fire was coming from.

“The way we usually do it,” said Cpl. Joshua Taylor, javelin team leader. “Snipers locate the target, I get locked on the target and my A-Gunner will prepare the missile for launch. I’ll get to my firing position…. and pull the trigger.

“I was just trying to keep steady and trying to do my job and make sure I do my part,” continued Taylor. “The Javelin was definitely effective.”

The missile hit its intended target, and the desert fell silent once more.

Marines with Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, complete maintenance on an M1A1 Abrams tank at Combat Outpost Shir Ghazay, Aug. 19, 2012. The Marines have been supporting the area’s most dangerous operations in northern Helmand province since they first arrived about two months ago.

By CPL. KENNETH JASIK

Regimental Combat Team 6

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marines with Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, have been supporting the most dangerous operations in northern Helmand province since they first arrived about two months ago.

“We are here to support small units that would like an armor capability,” said Cpl. William A. Seniw, tank crewman, Bravo Company. “Nobody messes with the tanks. Nobody wants to shoot at us because of the capabilities we have.”

The M1A1 Abrams tanks the Marines operate have night and day optics with a high magnification ability, so the Marines can see almost everything in their line of sight.

“We can identify people from about 8,000 meters away,” said Lance Cpl. Steven C. Noyes, tank crewman, Bravo Company. “From what I’ve seen, every time (insurgents) see a tank they run away. We have superior firepower.”

The Marines said they are proud to be able to provide that firepower when it’s needed, and they are also proud to extinguish insurgents’ fighting spirit.

“On our last operation, as soon as the tanks stepped in – that shock and awe – the enemy was clearly less willing to engage the Marines,” said Noyes. “I feel that just having tanks around saves lives.”

In addition to scaring away the enemy, the tanks are a morale booster for coalition forces fighting on the same side.

“When I talk to the grunts, they always talk about how great the tanks are,” said Noyes, 21, from Waldoboro, Maine. “It’s sort of like a morale lifter for the grunts. Whenever they are in over their heads, they’ll call in tanks and we can save the day.”

At the end of the day, the tankers are happy that they protect their friends on the ground.

“The tanks role is important because it saves lives with the show of force we provide,” said Seniw, 24, from Chicago Heights, Ill. “(Enemies) on the ground don’t want to mess with us when tanks come by, so when we’re around, it calms down.”

Lance Cpl. Joshua Taylor, assaultman, 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, stands outside of his tent at Combat Outpost Jaker, Afghanistan, July 27, 2012. Taylor deployed to Afghanistan a year after joining the Marine Corps. “I always hoped to be a part of history,” Taylor said. “It’s something I can be proud of.” USMC Photo

By STAFF SGT. BRIAN BUCKWALTER

Regimental Combat Team 6

COMBAT OUTPOST JAKER, Afghanistan – For some people, history is just another subject in school. For Lance Cpl. Joshua Taylor, being a part of history was a calling.

To follow that calling, Taylor, 21, from Troy, Ala., left behind a full-ride scholarship to college to join the Marine Corps. The only reason he even went to college for a year was because it was free, he said. He’s always had an interest in the military.

“Action movies had a role in it,” he said, but so did his interest in warfare, tactics and World War II history.

Taylor, a 2009 graduate of Pike Liberal Arts School, went to recruit training and then to the Marine Corps’ School of Infantry where he became an infantry assaultman. Following his initial training, he was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

Initially, he wasn’t sure if the Camp Lejeune-based unit was going to deploy, a disappointing possibility for an infantry Marine, he said.

“I wanted to be here before the war was over,” Taylor said.

His best friend, who also joined the Marine Corps, is stationed in Hawaii.

“He said I’m the lucky one,” Taylor said, because his friend also wanted the opportunity to deploy to Afghanistan.

Taylor deployed to Afghanistan exactly a year into his enlistment, and just before his 21st birthday. He serves near the Nawa District of Helmand province, and so far, has had a quiet deployment.

“We actually don’t need to be here,” he said. “The Taliban don’t even target us. They target the (Afghan National Security Forces),” Taylor said.

However, the Marines are still a good security blanket for the Afghan National Army and other Afghan forces in the area, he said. Occasionally, the Marines will respond to a call from ANSF for help if they get overwhelmed.

This reactionary approach is part of the transition from coalition-led to Afghan-lead security operations. Marines had been fighting in the lead in Helmand province, then shoulder-to-shoulder with Afghan forces, before beginning to make the transition to an advisor-only force earlier this year.

Taylor, who was 10 years old when the attacks on 9/11 happened, said this transition is a sign of progress in the country.

With less to do “outside the wire,” Taylor and the others in 2nd Platoon pass time at their small combat outpost anyway they can. Taylor said everyone brought laptop computers to watch movies on, and there is a gym with weights and cardio equipment. Once or twice a week he goes to the morale, welfare and recreation tent to check his Facebook account, but he usually tries to keep his mind off of what he is missing back home.

Taylor said he went through recruit training and the School of Infantry with some of the Marines in his squad. They’ve all developed a strong bond with each other, he said.

“I know everyone would have my back just like I would have their back,” Taylor said.

Taylor said it’s too early to decide whether he will re-enlist or get out of the Marines when his four-year contract expires. If he does decide to get out, he will go back to college to become a stockbroker or learn computer security.

Whatever he decides to do, he said, he will be always able to look back at his service and know that he was a part of something bigger than himself.

“I always hoped to be a part of history,” Taylor said. “It’s something I can be proud of.”

Colonel John R. Shafer, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 6, shakes hands with Maj. Sadik, operations officer, 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, after a meeting July 27, 2012. Members of RCT-6 met with the kandak’s leadership at Combat Outpost Fiddlers Green in Helmand province to discuss the way forward as Afghan forces assume more security responsibility in the region. Shafer said he is impressed with the patriotism, enthusiasm and growth of 4th Kandak’s forces. (USMC Photo)

By STAFF SGT. BRIAN BUCKWALTER

Regimental Combat Team 6

COMBAT OUTPOST FIDDLERS GREEN, Afghanistan – The future success of Afghanistan’s security depends largely on the abilities of the country’s armed forces.

In southern Helmand province, Marines have been training and advising Afghan National Army soldiers on how to be a military force, helping lay the foundation for the ANA’s future success. Training runs the gamut from basic infantry training to administrative and logistical support.

At Combat Outpost Fiddlers Green, Marines are advising an Afghan combat support kandak, the 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps. A kandak is the Afghan Army equivalent to a battalion. Combat support includes combat engineers, artillery and reconnaissance assets.

Colonel John R. Shafer, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 6, recently met with 4th Kandak leadership to get an update on their progress.

“We pay attention to our responsibilities,” Maj. Mohammad Naim, 4th Kandak’s executive officer, said. His soldiers, he added, regularly go out on foot patrols and man checkpoints in their area of operations.

“I am extremely impressed with your soldiers,” Shafer said to Naim about the kandak’s enthusiasm, patriotism and their rapid growth.

The team who had been working with Naim and his soldiers recently left Afghanistan.

Captain Douglas Wacker, the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, combat support advisor team executive officer, is part of the new team. They’ve trained for four months on how to advise Afghans. He said they are eager to work with and earn the trust of their Afghan counterparts, who he said are professional, capable soldiers.
Naim said the previous advisor team working with his soldiers “helped us tremendously.” He, too, is eager to work with the new group of Marine advisors.

“One thing I guarantee, whenever the Marines ask us to go anywhere, we are ready,” said Naim.

With the new team comes a shift in the relationship between the Marine advisors and Afghan soldiers, said Shafer. The ANA is at the point where they have proven they’re ready to do things on their own.

“You need to start telling the advisor team what they need to do for you,” Shafer said during his meeting with kandak leadership. The advisor team is ready to fill in gaps where needed, he said, but the ANA at Fiddlers Green needs to start planning and doing their own operations.

Wacker, from Seattle, said the goal of his team is to fully transition the responsibility of combat support to the Afghan kandak. He said he would like to see the 4th Kandak here be able to supply, maintain and provide all the combat support for the ANA in the area.

“If they can figure out how to do that with the chain of command, then they’ll be very successful,” said Wacker.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/92682/afghan-combat-support-soldiers-work-with-marine-advisors#ixzz22y6uDQoG

Marines with Bravo Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, run to a waiting CH-53E Super Stallion that will extract them from the Khaneshin District, Afghanistan, July 23, 2012. The Marines with 3rd LAR were inserted in the Khaneshin District three days earlier to deter the enemy from using the area for trafficking people, weapons and drugs. (USMC Photo)

By CPL. ED GALO

Regimental Combat Team 6

KHANESHIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan – As the morning sun rose, the sound of helicopter rotor blades could be heard from the flight line at Forward Operating Base Payne, July 21, 2012.

Carrying their gear and enough food and water to sustain themselves for 48 hours, Marines with Bravo Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, awaited their turn to board Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters that would insert them deep into the Khaneshin District of Afghanistan.

The main purpose of the operation was to disrupt enemy movement in the area. The Marines where accompanied by four members of the Afghan Border Patrol.

According to 1st Lt. Ted Rose, platoon commander, Bravo Co., 3rd LAR, the presence of Marines and Afghan forces helps deter the enemy from using the area for trafficking.

“This area is a known area for facilitation and trafficking for the enemy. They’ll move people, drugs or weapons through here,” said Rose, from Germantown, Tenn.

Once the helicopters landed, the Marines ran out and began their patrol to what would be their makeshift base for the next two days. The patrol base was nothing more than a sandy area concealed by sand dunes and small vegetation and tan netting they carried with them.

After the Marines made it to their patrol base’s location, one group left to patrol the local area while another group set up the netting to provided shade from the sun.

One challenge Bravo Co. Marines faced was they were out of their comfort zone. Since they are a light armored reconnaissance battalion, they are used to moving inside of light armored vehicles, not being inserted into areas by helicopters. Without vehicles, Marines must carry everything they need for their operation with them. Packs weighed more than 70 pounds.

“Being an LAR unit, we usually have vehicles to carry all our gear,” said Staff Sgt. Larry Kochevar, platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon. “Trying to carry water, food and shade for ourselves to sustain for two to three days gets pretty heavy. It’s pretty tiring for the Marines.”

Kochevar said another challenge was the temperature.

“One of the hardest parts of this operation, just like the other ones, is the heat,” he said. “It’s hot, really hot. You can’t really get out of the heat, and you have to keep hydrated.”

During their 48 hours in the Khaneshin district, the Marines with Bravo Co., conducted four patrols. They walked through villages, talked to locals and gathered intelligence.

When the Marines first arrived, not many people wanted to talk to them mostly because Marines were viewed as outsiders. But by their last patrol, children were running up to them with smiles. A village elder asked for medical help from them, which was provided by a Navy corpsman with the platoon.

On the morning of the third day, the Marines once again waited for helicopters to arrive. Except this time they were being taken back to their home away from home at Forward Operating Base Payne. As they boarded the helicopters they talked about how they were that much closer to being home.

EDITOR’S NOTE: 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a part of Regimental Combat Team 6. RCT-6 falls under 1st 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.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/92421/third-light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-disrupts-enemy-passageways#ixzz22y4zQxHH