Snipers keep their guard up

[thedrifter]

Snipers keep their guard up
Submitted by: Marine Forces Reserve
Story Identification Number: 20039119038
Story by Cpl. Damian McGee



AL HUSAYNIYAH, Iraq (Sept. 11, 2003) -- "Shots fired! Shots fired!" Those were the words that penetrated a hand-held radio as Marines drove through a small town outside of Blair Airfield in Al Kut, Iraq.

The Marines, a scout sniper team with 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, were leading a convoy of Civil Affairs and Combat Camera Marines when the shots rang out. The Marines immediately gave the call to notify all four vehicles and made a quick turn down the road from which the shots were heard.

"As soon as we heard the shots, we thought there was a possibility someone was engaging on innocent civilians," said Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Heller, platoon sergeant, surveillance and target acquisition platoon, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines. "We didn't know exactly what we were going to do because we didn't know what the situation was. However, if we'd found someone firing on us or civilians, we would have done what it took to prevent the situation and engage if necessary."

The situation became more complicated when the road led to a dead end, and the Marine's vehicles were flanked with Iraqi citizens coming to pay their respects.

"Some of the people were already out, but they congregated more in the streets when the Marines arrived," said Leicester, Vermont native Gunnery Sgt Heidi Schuerger, civil affairs non-commissioned officer, 4th Civil Affairs Group. "It definitely makes the situation more difficult. The more people there are on the street, the more things there are to distract the Marines who are trying to accomplish their mission."

With all the Marines standing guard and scanning the area, the feeling of danger surrounded the Marines and adrenaline began to take charge.

"Once you're in a situation like that, your adrenaline begins pumping and it takes control," said Memphis native Sgt. Kevin L. Young, a rifleman with Kilo Company. "When this happens Marines have to make sure they stay calm and focused. We all want to contain situations as much as possible, and none of us want to make matters worse in this type of scenario."

One such incident occurred as one of the snipers scanned the area through the scope of his M40-A3 sniper rifle. While checking the numerous berms surrounding the neighborhood, a man was spotted standing next to his bicycle with what appeared to be the surface to air missile launcher. After realizing it was nothing more than a big pipe, the Marines and translators informed the man that, for his safety, he should move off the berm.

"When we approach a situation we have to take every precaution possible when we're looking for possible threats," Heller said. "For the most part, the children will yell when they see us if there's a bad guy close to them, but I still have to remind my guys to maintain the discipline of knowing when to fire and when not to fire."

As the situation calmed down, the civil affair's Marines and translators began talking to the members of the town to discover what had actually occurred. What started as a possible threat to the Marines in the convoy, turned out to be celebratory fire from a wedding party; an event that is becoming more and more frequent as the war dies down.

"Celebratory fire is somewhat common, and most of it is for weddings," Scherger said. "The dangers of it are clear with incidents that have occurred. Anything that goes up must come down, and people forget that. At the same time, it's a part of their customs and it may be hard to stop it.

Bottle rockets are now being sold out in the market, so maybe they could be convinced to transition from weaponry to fireworks."

Through proper force protection and mediation, the situation quickly deescalated and the Marines left the area wishing the best for the wedding party.

"Every Marine here must have some restraint, but it is a difficult thing to do," Schuerger said. "We're at a point where we're more comfortable with the local Iraqi people, but we still must be aware and the Marines know that."

For the citizens and Marines, the situation ended with well wishes from both sides.

"If an accident happens, there is no compensation for the loss of a life, but going to them reinforces the fact that we're here to help them," Schuerger said. "When there's a misunderstanding, it's important to take the time to ease people's minds, they'll remember that."




A Marine from the survellance and target acquisition platoon of 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, uses the scope of an M40-A3 sniper rifle to ensure that a passing Iraqi is not carrying a surface to air ground missile.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Andrew Z. Williams


Sempers,

Roger