Combat Logistics Battalion 6’s blog

            CAMP MEJID, Iraq – It was the product of an old relationship, and the start of a new one.

            Forty-four Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 7th IA Division graduated from a two-day Marine weapons maintenance and armory course, which included lessons on the M-16 series service rifle, here Aug. 7.

            “This is a beautiful step between us and our friends, the Coalition Forces,” said General Sabah Mutab Helhel, deputy general, 7th IA Div. Helhel noted the long standing relationship between Coalition Forces and the fledgling IA, and that classes and training like this course were a product of that relationship.

            “We will all benefit from what the friendly forces are teaching us, and hopefully we will have more (classes) down the road,” HelHel said.

            With the 7th IA Div., slated to field the M-16 series service rifle to its Soldiers in replacement of the AK-47 by February 2009, Marine weapons maintenance classes may increase in frequency.

            “They really paid attention when (the instructor) broke down the M-16, so they know what to expect in February,” said Steve A. Jabero, an interpreter for Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

            Along with lessons on the M-16, students received helpful tips from the instructor about their own organic small arms.

            “They have their own way of doing things, so I just shared my views of their weapons,” said Lance Cpl. Sterling N. Hagan, armorer, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division. Hagan, 21, Greenburgs, La., learned most of his knowledge about foreign weapon systems from confiscated items brought into the armory.

            “I just showed them any defects that I saw, and how to deal with them. I showed them what to look for as far as misfires and possible defects,” Hagan said.

            The Marines conducting the course also emphasized proper weapons storage and armory administration. Helhel’s words at the graduation mirrored the Corps’ sentiment toward its Marines and their rifles.

            “Armorers should never accept weapons that are dirty,” Helhel said. “Maintaining our weapons is important. A bad weapon makes for a bad Soldier. With that weapon you defend your family and your nation.”

            The two-day course was not a one-way street however, as the Marines who organized the course learned both about Iraqi maintenance methods and their culture.

            “Our gracious host, the 7th IA Division allowed us to share the culture of their Iraqi Soldiers, while we were able to pass on the knowledge of our particular logistical field,” said Master Sgt. Gregory P. Zenoni, 41, Lexington, S.C., operations chief, CLB-6, 1st MLG.

            With an M-16 in the hands of every IA Soldier by mid-2009, there’s one more field Iraqis can learn from any Marine: rifle maintenance and marksmanship.

            COMBAT OUTPOST RIO LOBO, Iraq – The most important natural resource for Coalition Forces in Iraq is water.

            Combat engineers with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, recently teamed up with the leaders of Regimental Combat Team 5’s 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and Iraq’s Ministry of Water to facilitate the building of a new combat outpost here, Aug. 10.

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            “Building this COP outside Rio Lobo frees up the structures for the Ministry of Water, facilitating the reopening of the water plant,” said 2nd Lt. James R. Armstrong, platoon commander, Company A, 2nd LAR, RCT-5, 1st Marine Division. When the Marines occupy the new outpost, Iraqi government workers will move in and begin operating the water pumps.

            The plant supplied much of the surrounding area between Camp Korean Village and al-Asad with water, but had been closed for the past five years. A lack of water has driven many locals to relocate, and the land once used for farming has become desolate.

            “Once the pump station opens, Iraqis can run it unaided, and we’re giving them space to do that,” said 1st Lt. Samuel D. Joiner, executive officer, Company A.

            Joiner, 24, from Knoxville, Tenn., and Armstrong, 24, from Johnson City, Tenn., agreed that pumping water back into the surrounding area, into irrigation canals and homes alike, should result in a return of population and agricultural stability to the area.

            “It’s the ideal partnership; we’ll have the civic side and the peacekeeping side all together,” Armstrong said.

            The engineers are happy both to provide Marines with a new living space and to have a hand in the reopening of the water plant that once brought Earth’s most precious resource to many of Iraq’s more rural citizens.

            “I think water could convey that message of peace and prosperity,” said Sgt. Steven J. Geiger, 25, Matamoras, Pa., squad leader, Engineer Company.

            Geiger said that engineers take each job seriously, and their approach is all business. But, he said, it’s nice to know that their work is not only improving conditions for Marines spending seven months at a COP, but also for Iraqis spending their entire lives in the desert.

            “Water is essential, it is the building block of life,” Geiger said.

            The potential for the project was not immediately known by the company, until they conducted their site survey. The project, which is slated to begin sometime in the next month, can help Iraqis repopulate the area and turn brown desert into green farms.

            “I think it’s exciting,” said Capt. Lauren S. Edwards, 32, from Smiths Grove, Ken., company commander, Engineer Company. “Whether (we’re helping) Marines or the Iraqi people, there’s a hope and promise, and a lot of forward moving instead of just treading water.”

            Treading water would be nice, but first Marines plan to make sure the locals in Western Iraq have enough to drink.

AL-ASAD, Iraq (July 10, 2008) – “I am an (noncommissioned officer) dedicated to training new Marines and influencing the old,” is the first line of the NCO creed which was recited by a class of eight corporals from Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, during their Corporals’ Leadership Course graduation here.

Throughout this two-week course, Marines learned to drill and call cadence. They were given classes on Marine Corps knowledge, customs and courtesies and necessary leadership traits to help them lead their Marines.

“It’s been a tremendous change from day one,” said Sgt. Arturo Garciacano, instructor, Supply Company, CLB-6. “We try to get these Marines to better understand what it means to be an NCO.”

Garciacano, from Aurora, Ill., said he wants the corporals to learn that they are no longer just troops, they are leaders of Marines.

“What we teach them here is only the basics,” Garciacano said. “We are giving them the tools to take back to their shop and lead their Marines.”

Gunnery Sgt. Claudia A. Fuller, company gunnery sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company, CLB-6, believes that the role of the corporal is to run the shop.

As the corporals attend the CLC, they will better prepare themselves for the rest of their Marine Corps career.

 “They need to build on their leadership skills,” said Fuller, from Santa Ana, Calif. “It’s important they understand the rank they hold.”

The Marines attain those vital skills needed to lead their subordinates by attending the CLC.

“Know your job and act like the rank above you,” said Gunnery Sgt. Vincent F. Woodbury, training chief, CLB-6, as he spoke to the corporals during the course. “Do anything you can to stay ahead of your peers.”

            Cpl. Roland W. Reedy, ammunition technician, H&S Co., CLB-6, took advantage of the opportunity to better himself by attending the CLC.

            “This was something that I have wanted to do since I have been out here,” said Reedy, from Reed City, Mich. “This course teaches you how to apply some of the things you already knew.”

            Reedy said he learned better ways to deal with Marines and how to adjust his leadership style to be more effective.      

            “This course built up my confidence in speaking in front of a large group of people,” Reedy added.

            Sgt. Tresor Mbunker, a CLC instructor, CLB-6, was also pleased with the improvements the corporals made throughout the course.

            “Their performance was outstanding during the course,” said Mbunker, from Dallas, Ga. “Any corporal that is coming out (to Iraq) should go to this course. It’s a unique opportunity.”

RRP MILWAUKEE, Iraq (July 4, 2008) –  Marines from 1st Platoon, Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, made a special Independence Day combat logistics patrol to Marines at Refuel and Resupply Point Milwaukee.

This tactical-vehicle convoy delivered 20 thousand gallons of fuel, 20 pallets of food supplies, 40 pallets of water, mail, oil and Light Armored Vehicles parts to the Marines.

1st Lt. Justin A. Hooker, executive officer, TS Co., CLB-6, said this will give them a chance to flex the Motor Transportation muscle they have.

“The only way to get supplies out there is by ground or air,” said Hooker, from Winston-Salem, N.C. “Without these supplies, they wouldn’t be able to do anything.”

Resupplying the Marines at the RRP Milwaukee was something 1st Plt. had no regrets doing during the Independence Day holiday.

“I have had the past 18 years to have the 4th of July all to myself,” said Lance Cpl. Kory C. Frens, Logistics Vehicle System operator, TS Co., CLB-6. “Being out here gives me a better understanding of why this holiday is important.”

Frens, from Hesperia, Mich., said it doesn’t bother him delivering supplies on this special day, so people back in the U.S. can enjoy the freedoms they have. He said service members are all doing their part in the effort out here in Iraq.

“If I were back in the states, I would be watching fireworks with my family and hanging out with my girlfriend,” said Sgt. Gerhard C. Otero, gunner, TS Co., CLB-6. “Instead, we are out here doing our part.”

“I feel good about myself and what we are doing out here,” said Otero, from Miami, Fla. “It’s a good experience that I am glad to have had. Somebody has to do it.”

As the Marines of 1st Plt. spent the holiday away from their families, they continued to push forward to fight for the freedom their families enjoy.

“I’m here for a reason and I am doing my part to accomplish the mission,” concluded Otero. “Out of all my experiences as a Marine, I don’t have any regrets of what I have done in the Corps.”  

AL-ASAD, Iraq (July 2, 2008) – A partnership formed here in April between Marines and Iraqi Soldiers, is thriving stronger than ever.

This partnership between the Intermediate Maintenance Activity section, Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group and Soldiers with Maintenance Company, 7th Iraqi Army Division, is designed to teach Iraqi Soldiers how to become more proficient mechanics for their vehicles.

The IA has recently received several humvees they are being trained to operate and repair. The ultimate goal with the training program is for the Iraqi Soldiers to be self sufficient and know as much as the Marines do about the vehicles.

Warrant Officer Todd D. Klink, officer in charge, Maintenance Co., CLB-6, has been furthering the partnership by visiting Camp Majed (an IA camp inside Camp Al-Asad). Klink and his Iraqi counterpart, Warrant Officer Ali Hamid Ibrahim, head of maintenance, Maintenance Co., 7th IA Div., discuss what repairs their vehicles need.

The IA takes their vehicles to CLB-6’s maintenance lot for repairs where the Marines assist the Iraqis with repairs.

“We teach them how to troubleshoot problems and assist them in repairing their vehicles,” Klink said. “My mechanics don’t do any of the repairs whatsoever.”

Klink said this hands-on training is more effective than just reading from a book or manual.

“I learned by getting out on the truck,” Klink said. By putting the Iraqi Soldiers through the same training, it gives the two groups a mutual experience they both share.

Ali and his Soldiers appreciate the relationship they have with their Marine counterparts and the direct approach to learning how to repair their machines.

“That is one of the most important things for us to do,” Ali said. “To work with the Marines and learn from them.”

Marines with IMA have accomplished a lot during the partnership. Transmissions, differentials, flywheels and power steering pumps are just a few of the many repairs that Marines have assisted the Soldiers with.

“That is the best way to learn anything, to just do it,” said Lance Cpl. Michael D. Herring, mechanic, Maintenance Co., CLB-6.

Herring, from Fairfax, Va., said it has been a new experience using an interpreter to communicate with the IA. But even with the language barrier, the mechanics are all the same.

“We hope to keep this relationship with the IA,” said Sgt. Christopher L. Vanhoose, from Louisa, Ky., maintenance chief, IMA, Maintenance Co., CBL-6. “They are all great guys just trying to learn something new.”

Pfc. Balal Qdoray Asood, mechanic, Maintenance Co., 7th IA Division, is one of the Iraqi Soldiers working with IMA Marines.

“When I was a civilian, I was a driver,” said Asood, from Baghdad. “I used to know how to do some things on trucks, but here we get to perfect our skills.”

Asood said the Soldiers love to work as a team, to share the knowledge that both services have.

The experience the Iraqi Soldiers gain will save them valuable time when one of their vehicles needs to be repaired.

“Before, when a vehicle was down, it would have to sit in my shop for two-to-four weeks,” Ali said. “We would have to send it out for repairs if we didn’t have the tools. Now, we can fix our trucks within a week.”

As the partnership continues, Iraqi Soldiers will continue to learn new skills from the Marines they have learned to trust.

AL-ASAD, Iraq (June 25, 2008) – Combat Logistics Battalion 6’s top leaders visited seven of the locations across al-Anbar province that they support for Multi-National Force-West, June 25-27.

            The purpose of the various visits was to meet face-to-face with CLB-6 Marines and see the progress made on numerous construction projects in the area. The battalion commander and battalion sergeant major visited with the troops and checked the serviceability of equipment vital to mission accomplishment. The visit included stops at Forward Operating Base Korean Village, al-Qaim, Haditha Dam and Combat Outposts Gannon, Tripoli, Rawah and Anah.

            During the convoy’s stop at COP Gannon, CLB-6 engineers prepared the ground for the new, and much larger, location for a Future Operations facility.

            “This is a perfect example of how engineers take a piece of ground and transform it,” said Lt. Col. David J. Eskelund, battalion commander, CLB-6, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

            The new site (next to the original COP) will be twice the original size, according to Warrant Officer David D. Clerk, support platoon commander, Engineer Company, CLB-6. Engineers with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, will be building the Southwest Asia huts for service members to use as living quarters and common areas.

            “It doesn’t matter what unit is out here,” said Sgt. Maj. Wayne O. Gallman, battalion sergeant major, CBL-6. “We will support them.” 

During the stop at COP Rawah, Eskelund and Gallman spoke with Marines at the chow hall and inspected the new medical facilities that were completed a few weeks ago.

“Due to the increasing size of the COP, the medical facilities needed to expand,” explained Eskelund. “This will provide better sanitary working conditions for the medical personnel.”

CLB-6 Marines at Haditha Dam are doing their part by running the exchange, postal, disbursing and the chow hall for the service members there. The purification of drinking water is another vital role that CLB-6 accomplishes at the dam. 

Providing security throughout the convoy was Security Company, CLB-6. This company is comprised of Marines from an array of occupations stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“We have been doing these kinds of escorts a lot this deployment,” said Lance Cpl. Jeff Stromberg, driver, Security Co., CLB-6. “The battalion CO likes to get out and see first hand what his sections are doing.”

Gallman explained that it’s important as leaders to get out and see all the Marines in the battalion, wherever they are.

“You can’t have leadership from behind the desk,” continued Gallman.

Prior to the deployment, CLB-6 had only three months to assemble the Marines they needed.

“It’s unbelievable the things these Marines are doing,” Gallman said. “I’m definitely impressed. That gives you a snapshot of the caliber of Marines we have out there.”   

AL-ASAD, Iraq – The chilled supplies provided the Marines a welcome break from the blistering Iraqi sun. Loading bags of ice, the Marines worked under the cover of the cool night to pack the supplies needed.

                The ice, along with other supplies, was being loaded by the Marines of Air Delivery section, Landing Support Platoon, Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, as part of a re-supply mission to Rest and Re-supply Point Milwaukee. It also helps ensure the safety of those involved.

                “By dropping these supplies out of the plane, it takes vehicles off the road,” said Sgt. David S. Cascio, mission commander, AD section.

            During the three drops throughout the night, classes I through IX supplies were delivered. These supplies include anything from food and water, to fuel and building materials. This particular load had ice, Gatorade, food and batteries for the Marines on the ground. 

                “We had the opportunity to meet the Marines we were dropping supplies to,” said Cpl. Josiah S. Selby, air delivery specialist, with LS Platoon. “They were thankful for all our hard work,” said Selby, from Ellicott City, Md.

                Selby was one of the many Marines that worked to get supplies loaded and rigged with parachutes, ensuring them a safe drop to the Marines in need.

                Once it was loaded onto the C-130 Hercules aircraft, it was in the capable hands of the Marines of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to take it the rest of the way.

            The joint effort of both groups provided supplies to make life a little easier for the Marines at Milwaukee.

AL-QAIM, Iraq (June 22, 2008) – Marines with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a re-supply mission to al-Qaim, June 22.

The convoy of 53 vehicles ventured through the night to deliver food, water, fuel and force protection materials to support 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

“This is a five-hour drive,” said Sgt. Deryl B. Stockton, assistant convoy commander for TS Co. “But, all these supplies will help get the mission accomplished and keep Marines safe.”

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The leadership and responsibility at the lowest level possible is essential to mission accomplishment. Transportation Support Co. is a perfect example of this kind of leadership.

“Every truck has at least a lance corporal, sometimes a private in charge of that vehicle,” said Stockton, from Dallas. “They have to be responsible enough to know exactly what they are doing on the convoy.”         

Lance Cpl. Michael D. Ramirez a Logistics Vehicle System operator with TS Co., said they regularly make re-supply runs to al-Qaim.

“This is one of the most Northern camps we support,” said Ramirez, from El Paso, Texas. “We get to help the Marines out there and that’s a good feeling.”

Ramirez said he is proud to call himself a Marine and to have so much responsibility delivering supplies for his fellow Marines in the area.

“What other job can you have, where you have the opportunity to support Marines on the front lines?” said Ramirez, as he drove the dark road. “I get to be a part of history and make a difference in Iraq.”

Ramirez said their convoys cover a lot more distance than the convoys in the Southern part of the area of operations. With this distance, being accountable for gear and vehicle maintenance is crucial for a flawless trip. These are just some of the responsibilities that Marines have on any convoy.

“If you treat every mission as if it were your last and do everything you are supposed to the right way, you won’t have anything to worry about,” Ramirez said.

“I try to pass on to my Marines the leadership traits I learn along the way,” Stockton said.

As TS Co. continues to apply their leadership skills, they strive to make a difference for the units they support.

AL ASAD, Iraq (May 28, 2008)- The view from the back of a KC-130J, several thousand feet above ground and with the wind’s pressure pulling from all directions gave Marines a “rush” before jumping out of the cargo plane during an air-drop mission in Al Qaim, May 28.

Marines from Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, delivered supplies with the support of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing; and 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.

“We are going to be dropping two fuel blivets at Al Qaim, and we’re going to be following that up with a few jumpers,” said Sgt. David S. Cascio, a 27-year-old, parachute rigger from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with LS Co., CLB-6, of the mission’s sequence of events. “We’re also going to be dropping two container delivery systems filled with water.”

Dropping supplies from approximately 9,500 and 12,000 feet accurately was not an easy task. To make this happen the supplies were sent below with a Joint Precision Air Drop System or Sherpa parachutes equipped with a global positioning system and a square canopy instead of the conventional round chute.  This system “guides” the cargo, making sure it lands within 100 meters of its target.

Sgt. Christopher M. Bird, air delivery specialist with LS Co., CLB-6, who works with the Sherpas, explained that during this deployment they have been successful, the two drops have landed within 25 meters of their target.

Bird, 26, from Jonesboro, Ark., makes sure the Sherpas have a GPS lock before the drop.  If that lock is lost, Cpl. Josiah S. Selby, air delivery specialist, LS Co., CLB 6, jumped with a hand controller for the Sherpa system to guide the cargo to a designated and safe area.

 “As long as he has line of sight with the Sherpa he can control where it lands,” said Bird.

As for the jumpers’ safety, the Marines go through two jumpmaster parachute inspections before taking the plunge to ensure their parachutes work, explained Gunnery Sgt. Robert J. Blanton, 33, platoon sergeant, 1st Platoon, Alpha Co., 3rd Recon Bn., who is from Santa Rosa, Calif.

“The Marines landed safely and accomplished their mission, making it a successful jump,” said Sgt. Tim Cunningham, 26, from Albany, N.Y., who is a pointman, 1st Platoon, Alpha Co., 3rd Recon Bn.

Selby, who was jumping with the hand controller for the first time, described the jump as “a rush like no other,” and also finds it rewarding because of the service it provides to other Marines.

 “It’s something I am proud to do,” said Selby, 21, from Baltimore. “The way I look at (my job) is the more loads we drop the more trucks we take off the roads, which means less (improvised explosive device) blasts, therefore saving lives.”

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (April 08, 2008) – Under heavy enemy fire, the area was locked down and a quick reaction force was sent in to neutralize the threat and contain the chaos.

The “terrorist” was armed with rocks and not only did he prove to be a worthy adversary, he offered a useful training tool during the mock invasion held April 8.

The training was part of the Unit Protection Plan which is designed to enhance the security posture of Combat Logistic Battalion 6’s area of responsibility.

“It’s a giant playground out here,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Rosario, the Base Reaction Force Commander for Camp al Asad about CLB-6’s region which provides multiple buildings and rooms that an intruder could easily hide in. Rosario was on hand to provide his expertise during the exercise in their proverbial jungle gym.

The purpose of the drill is to make sure that the CLB-6 Marines are capable of reacting to potential threats occurring in their area of operations.

“Anything can happen out here,” said Rosario, from Newbern, N.C.

And that is exactly what the Marines are preparing for.

Setting up two cordons to help contain the threat, Marines quickly neutralized the “intruder,” learning as they progressed through the course.

One group of Marines set up an outer cordon, controlling the foot traffic in to and out of the compound. The inner cordon closed in on the enemy and concentrated on the building he was located in.

 “It definitely went a lot smoother this time,” said Pfc. Anthony W. Greeson, a packaging specialist with Headquarters and Support Company, CLB-6. The drill was the final step in the UPP. To get here, the Marines have gone through a planning phase, an internal battalion drill and ended with the final integrated drill.

Greeson has been working with the rest of the QRF team through various exercises, learning more each time.

“We learned more about situational awareness and how to pay attention to certain things that may be out of the ordinary,” said Greeson, from Kennewick, Wash.

Along with the hands-on learning experience, Rosario also displayed practical application on clearing and handling the suspected threat once they are apprehended.

This demonstration built even more confidence for the Marines who already have the situation well in hand.

“If a situation occurs, we’re here to take them down,” said Sgt. Aaron A. Morgan, the ammunition chief for CLB-6.

The confidence spread to the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Officer for CLB-6 as well who was impressed with the Marines’ abilities to neutralize the threat, quickly and effectively.

“I have full faith and confidence in (the Marines) to handle any situation that may arise,” said 2nd Lt. Eric C. Chase, from Mont Claire, N.J.

Throughout the rest of the deployment, the Marines involved with the QRF will receive refresher training to keep them ready for any potential threat that may arise.