Loaded Down for Success: Alpha Company Marines sail through Khundee Larha VI

Photo By Staff Sgt. Justin Shemanski | As the rising sun signals the beginning of another long day, Marines from Alpha Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan are already hard at work unloading an MK31Fuel Tanker aboard Combat Outpost Caffaretta as part of "Operation Kunda Larhee VI" here, March 7. This was the first major operation the Marines of CLB-6 had executed since arriving in country.  

NOW ZAD, AFGHANISTAN

03.07.2010

Story by Sgt. Justin Shemanski 

1st Marine Logistics Group

NOW ZAD, Afghanistan -- The Marines of Alpha Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan can now add a successfully completed major operation to their growing list of accomplishments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

As the spearhead of "Operation Khundee Larha VI," the 28-vehicle convoy sliced through nearly 100 miles of weather beaten crag and dried riverbeds to reach their destination aboard a fortified mountaintop compound known as Combat Outpost Cafferetta here, March 7.

"What the MEB is doing here is historic and this was one of CLB-6's first major parts in that," said Capt. John Gallagher, Alpha Company commander. "An off-road cross country convoy through enemy territory without infantry presence is really a huge step away from how we normally operate.

"The Marines really had to maximize their abilities."

Laden with everything from lumber to food items, the motor transport Marines where tasked with resupplying the Leathernecks of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, who have been operating in the area since October 2009.

In addition to 20,000 gallons of fuel and two "7-ton" Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement trucks loaded with bottled water, the Marines posted there also welcomed the arrival of the Post Exchange and postal trucks.

In total, the "Red Cloud Battalion" Marines were on the road nearly 50 hours in a scope of three and a half days; this of course, not counting the hours of work that awaited them here.

Tired as they may have been, Gallagher couldn't have been more proud of his Marines.

"They exceeded all expectations of how they would deal with an operation of this difficulty for the first time out," he said. "Right out of the box, they performed just as well as anyone had before them. They were fantastic."

• Date Taken: 03.07.2010
• Date Posted: 03.27.2010 01:24
• Story ID: 47293
• Location: NOW ZAD, AF