Arty Marines bring big gun attitude to small arms missions during Op Sweeney

[thedrifter]

Arty Marines bring big gun attitude to small arms missions during Op Sweeney
Submitted by: 13th MEU
Story Identification Number: 200310313622
Story by SSgt. April D. Tuggle



Al Faw, Iraq(Oct. 30, 2003) -- AL-FAW PENNINSULA, Iraq - Charlie Battery, 11th Marine Regiment, the artillery unit attached to Battalion Landing Team 1/1, left the heavy artillery on board the USS Peleliu and took up their rifles to form a provisional rifle company when they went ashore in Iraq during Operation Sweeney conducted by the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) during the month of October.

Marines conducted anti-smuggling operations that included mounted and dismounted patrols, raids, and vessel boardings and assisted in humanitarian operations conducted in the city during the more than two weeks ashore Oct. 11 to 26 for Operation Sweeney, according to 1stSgt. Martin Bock, battery first sergeant for Charlie Battery. The battery covered the southern Al-Faw peninsula, primarily in the city of Al-Faw, Iraq, during the operation.

The Battery, which is comprised of a gun platoon of canoneers and a headquarters platoon of mechanics, motor transport specialists, communicators and fire direction control specialists, usually operates six M198 Howitzers, the heaviest firepower the ground combat element brings to the MEU.

"The Marines are familiar with but not trained daily on infantry skills," said Bock. "The missions they performed as a provisional rifle company during the past operation were out of the norm for the battery attached to a MEU."

Although the tactics may have been uncommon to Battery Marines, they were instrumental in the success of the joint operation conducted with the British-led Multi-National Division (South East), the command 13th MEU (SOC) fell under for Operation Sweeney. Marines of the Battery were involved in raids during which weapons were seized, boarded vessels and detained locals suspected of conducting oil smuggling, and assisted explosive ordnance disposal Marines with several "shots" in the area that removed unexploded ordnance and munitions found while conducting missions, according to Bock.

The Battery's presence has been successful in squelching criminal activity in the region, according to Lance Bombardier Robert Thornton, a British Army artilleryman who has been posted in Al-Faw since mid-June.

"The police chief said there has been no crime in the area since the Marines have been here," said Thornton. "We've made a mite of impact with just a few. The Marines add to the numbers and an even bigger impact has been made."

Battery Marines also assisted with the humanitarian operations conducted in the city, according to Bock. The Battery commanding officer, Capt. Matthew Nation, provided a vital link to the local population by attending town counsel meetings and establishing a connection with the local leaders that was instrumental in coordinating the humanitarian assistance operations led by MEU Service Support Group-13.

The positive performance carried over into the Marines' attitudes about their role in the success of the mission.

"I feel like we're getting out there and are able to help the locals," said LCpl. Ryan Erwin, a 21-year-old native of Malvern, Penn., and canoneer with the Battery. "They see we're here to help them. I like being here. In a few years maybe these people will actually be able to live a decent life. I'm instrumental in that process."

For more information about the 13th MEU and the Marines of MSSG-13 visit the MEU website at www.13meu.usmc.mil.




Marines from 2nd Platoon, Charlie Battery, 11th Marine Regiment, the battery unit attached to Battalion Landing Team 1/1 dismounts from a vehicle to provide security during a search of a residence suspected of having a weapons cache in Al-Faw, Iraq. The raid, conducted Oct. 21, was one of many missions conducted by battery Marines who left the big guns at onboard USS Peleliu and picked up small arms to become a provisional rifle company during Operation Sweeney, a joint operation conducted by the 13th MEU in the Al-Faw Penninsula recently. Photo by: 1stLt. Matthew Strange

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...0?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger