Afghan border police, locals help Marines thwart IED attacks

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

12.04.2009

Story by Lance Cpl. Dwight Henderson 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Shortly after waking in the early morning of Dec. 4, Marines of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, gathered around a map of their area of operation, as their squad leader briefed the mission for that morning.

There was word of a possible ambush near the town of Loy Darwayshan, in Garmsir, Afghanistan. The Marines planned a counter-attack.

Keeping their eyes peeled for any signs of improvised explosive devices or enemy movement, the Marines and Afghan border police moved carefully through the flooded farmlands of southern Afghanistan. Mud caked onto their boots and cold water filled them as they moved, not only through fields, but through waist-deep irrigation canals.

After approaching the reported ambush site, the Marines got into position and waited. When it was determined that the ambush wasn't taking place, the Marines switched gears and began sweep for IEDS.

"We went out to do a counter-ambush, and that didn't pan out," said Lance Cpl. Matt A. Dunn, a team leader with Golf Co., 2/2. "So we had to do something while we're out there, so we started sweeping for some of the hot spots for IEDs and caches."

The Marines broke into two teams, each with an attachment of local ABP, to move through more fields of Loy Darwayshan and begin to search compounds, which couldn't be done without the help of the ABP.

"This country doesn't have the systems set up like our country does," said Sgt. Joel C. Quinnette, a squad leader with Golf Co., 2/2. "Something as simple as a housing record, we can't go into a book and look up who lives in a place. We have to actually go talk to them."

These interactions are mainly done between the ABP and the locals because of the cultural understanding.

"We know about the traditions of the people here," said Gulbodin, an Afghan border policeman. "When we go to the villages to talk to people, we go into the compounds first to talk to people, and the Marines are after us."

Quinnette added that the interaction with the locals is important for the ABP for the future, when they are the only ones patrolling their country.

With the help of the locals an improvised explosive device was found by one team. Two bags filled with IED-making materials, including pressure plates and command wire, was discovered by another.

"We've been finding a lot of them [IEDs] before they hit us, and that's a good thing," said Quinnette, from Newark, Del. "I'd rather find them before they find us."

Increased confidence and communication between the ABP and the local community has the allowed the Marines to thwart IED emplacements and attacks.

"A lot of the information that we get, a lot of the finds that we do have, are from the people coming up to us and having someone who is native to the country that they can talk to," said Quinnette. "Then they can tell us, and that allows us to act on intelligence better."

But local help alone does not find the IEDs. The Marines also use their extensive training on how to find and how to react to them.

"Patrols are rough on them, but all it takes is a little glint of a command wire and they're on it," said Lance Cpl. Matt A. Dunn, a team leader with Golf Co., 2/2. "My guys are good, they pay attention. They pay attention and they fall back on their training."

With one more IED down, the Marines' work is not over, as they will continue to patrol and secure the area.

"They're working hard and doing phenomenal work," said Gunnery Sgt. Walter W. Diggs, the company gunnery sergeant for Golf Co., 2/2. "It's very humbling to watch them work."

• Date Taken: 12.04.2009
• Date Posted: 12.07.2009 16:10
• Story ID: 42421
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF