Three wild days and nights: The first 72 hours in Marjah with 1/6 mortarmen

By Lance Cpl. James W. Clark

MARJAH, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Back in the states, people buy tickets to blockbuster movies. They fight to get the front row seats and squabble over who gets to put their drink in the combination cup holder/armrest.

It is in this spirit of cinema etiquette, that a handful of Marines with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, argue and bicker playfully with one another, fighting to get a good position so they can watch 'their' movie on a three-inch screen, March 20.

Their six-by-nine foot room, which has become a makeshift theater, is packed, and in lieu of popcorn and soda the Marines eat wheat snack bread and pour iced tea packets into water bottles.

As far away from a night at the movies as this is, there are some similarities. These men bought their 'tickets' when they enlisted, and since then, have made the best of their experiences. And now, in the quiet confines of their compound, they are taking a moment to relive and remember what they went through just over a month ago.

Pressing play on the video camera and turning up the volume, the director of the show, Lance Cpl. James R. Borzillieri, a gunner with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, starts the film.

Feb. 15 — Half load - FIRE!

The camera glares white for a moment before it is flooded with color. A pale blue sky is offset by coffee-brown walls and fine, sandy earth. Marines stand at their mortars with high-explosive rounds, held tight in hand. They are waiting for approval to fire at an insurgent position, and relieve a patrol of Marines caught out in the open.

For just a moment it's quiet, before Lance Cpl. Allan J. Fenley, a mortarman with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 1/6, begins to narrate.

"Where are the mortars," Fenley starts, but can't finish the question as rounds begin to slam into the post above him. The Marines can hardly fire back, so intense is the attack.

Marines are screaming, swearing. One yells to those taking cover in a nearby room, "get your flack on, get your flack on!" while another screams from the gun line, "let's get these rounds moving!"

Suddenly, a massive boom rocks the post and showers the Marines below in dust and debris.

The post was just hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

It's quiet for a moment, before the call for corpsmen is heard and repeated urgently.

As they try to understand what's unfolding around them, Cpl. Joshua T. Hurst, the fire direction center chief for the 81 mm Mortar Platoon, with Weapons Company, 1/6, steps past the camera and shouts the words the others have been waiting to hear.

"FIRE! FIRE!"

Those on the gun line immediately follow through, yelling in support and pumping fists, while Hurst stands in the foreground, urging them on.

About 26 high-explosive rounds leap into the air, and several seconds later, hit on target. The Marines pinned down now have a chance to make it back to the compound, and for just a moment, the posts have stopped taking contact.

As Marines take stock of the situation, they confirm that no one was hurt in the attack, although one Marine was hit square in his Kevlar helmet by an incoming round.

"From what we know, around the middle of the afternoon we received a call for fire, to support a patrol that was taking contact," Hurst later explained.

"We waited about ten minutes, then an explosion went off on one of the posts and we thought everyone was dead," said Hurst. "I grabbed my gear, ran out to the gun line and called for fire. Marines' lives were at stake. In doing so, we were able to cover the egress for the Marines on the battlefield."

"I knew where the Marines on the deck were and between that and the explosion on post, I thought it was necessary," said Hurst. "I provided fire to prevent the death of Marines if I could. After the fact, my choice would have been the same. Under the [rules of engagement] I feel it was justified. The ROEs are in defense of self and defense of others."

Present that day, was Staff Sgt. Nelson A. Adames, a section leader with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 1/6, and Hurst's immediate superior.

"What caused that to go off the way it did — Marines getting shot, RPGs coming into the compound and Marines out there pinned down in need of help," Adames said. "You want to help and support them. That RPG hit the compound and Cpl. Hurst made that unit leader's call, and in doing so probably saved a lot of lives. Small-unit leaders sometimes don't get the recognition they deserve, which [Hurst] certainly does."

"Small-unit leaders have to make those judgment calls," said Maj. John E. Harris, the battalion operations officer for 1/6. "Corporals have always been making those calls."

The responsibility of unit leaders like Hurst, 25, is made clear in such moments when they must make tough decisions that may have negative outcomes for themselves later on, explained Adames.

"A lot of it, with individuals like that, young men and women join the Marine Corps for something different, these decisions they're making, most individuals their age don't have to make choices like this," Adames said. "They make decisions that save lives. They will carry these traits with them for the rest of their lives."

As the video clip nears its end, the camera pans back to Hurst for a moment. He looks out towards the gun line, shakes his head and walks away.

For the moment, the post has stopped taking fire, and later that day, the patrol that was pinned down returns and the patrol leaders seek him out, shake his hand and thank him and his Marines for what they did.

"It's not about trying to get glory or attention," Hurst said. "I did it to make sure no one died. That's the job of any Marine, to make sure his brother doesn't die. I have Marines out there I can help save as long they approve my mission."

Putting the video camera away and looking around at the room, Borzillieri once again cracks a smile, but says nothing. Every Marine in the room grins from ear to ear.

This was their favorite part.

They did what was needed, and they know it.