Jack of all trades: mortarmen utilized on foot patrols

Photo By Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde | Lance Cpl. William Sullivan, a dog handler with the mobile section of 81 mm Mortars Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provides security in a field during a patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 31. Marines from 3/6 and soldiers from the Afghan national army are in Marjah to support Operation Moshtarak, a push to rid the area of Taliban presence and intimidation.  

MARJAH, AFGHANISTAN

03.31.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde  

I Marine Expeditionary Force

MARJAH, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — The squad of Marines and Afghan national army soldiers patrol down the dusty streets of Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 31.

They move down the road, looking for improvised explosive devices in an area that has been laced with explosives over recent weeks. This dangerous task is just the latest mission for the mobile section of 81 mm Mortar Platoon.

Although these Marines are mortarmen by trade, they have been utilized mostly as riflemen because the coalition has been resistant to using indirect fire throughout Operation Moshtarak. Consequently, when 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, needed a mobile infantry section to cover gaps throughout the vast area in and around Marjah, these Marines were called upon to fill that role. So far, the mobile section has traveled over much of Marjah.

"We've been all over the battalion so far," said Lance Cpl. Kraig Eric Skarka, a fireteam leader. "It's been fun though. It's making the time go by so much faster."

Most recently, the mobile section has been operating in an area between Forward Operating Base Sher Wali and Five Points, Kilo Company's operating base. They have been setting up observation posts, vehicle checkpoints and foot patrols to curtail insurgent activity in an area plagued with roadside bombs of late.

Since arriving at their current position, the mobile section has not faced any enemy contact. The Marines believe their presence in the area is causing the Taliban to hide.

"Definitely our presence out here is working," said Cpl. Kolton Krenzelok, a fireteam leader. "Before we came out here, all three companies hit IEDs on this very road, all within 200 meters. We're doing something."

The mobile section has been moving to new positions every couple of days. Its Marines have adjusted well to traveling, especially those who were in Iraq during 3/6's previous deployment, when the mortarmen were utilized in a similar manner.

"When I was in Iraq, we weren't [used as] mortarmen at all. We didn't even have [mortar] tubes. All we did were mounted and dismounted missions," said Cpl. David Freetag, a squad leader. "For the senior people in 81s that have done more than one deployment, it's normal to us."

The mobile section doesn't carry mortar tubes this time around either. They may not get to fire a single mortar round for the rest of the deployment, but they are happy to do whatever it takes to ensure mission accomplishment during Operation Moshtarak.

"It's not a big deal. We train for this," said Freetag, from Minneapolis. "Every Marine is a rifleman."

• Date Taken: 03.31.2010
• Date Posted: 04.14.2010 07:54
• Story ID: 48126
• Location: MARJAH, AF