Regimental Combat Team-2 puts boots on ground in Afghanistan

Photo By Master Sgt. Dorian Gardner | Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Thorbon, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, cuts wood beams to construct exterior wall stands for air conditioning units. Camp Delaram II is one of the newest bases to be established in Helmand province.  

CAMP DELARAM II, AFGHANISTAN

04.16.2010

Story by Sgt. Dorian Gardner 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP DELARAM II, Afghanistan — While gentle winds blew through the rotors of a CH-53 D helicopter, the final group of Regimental Combat Team 2 Marines and Sailors dismounted, completing the unit's transition into Camp Delaram II, Feb. 27.

Marines with RCT-2 deployed to Afghanistan in support of the troop-surge in Helmand Province, working by, with and through the Afghans and Afghan national security forces to rid outlying areas of insurgent groups and Taliban presence.

Though a large threat lies outside the rows of concertina wire and dirt barriers that surround Camp Delaram II, regimental personnel are prepared to dig in, and begin their year-long deployment. While 12 long months lie ahead, RCT-2 has big plans for the province.

"The RCT exists to provide operational guidance and logistical support to the subordinate units so they can fight the enemy," said Capt. Larry R. Iverson Jr., Headquarters Company commanding officer, RCT-2.

The regiment can support an infantry battalion in many ways, from providing food and water, to ammunition and fuel for their vehicles.

Within the unit, it is the job of the Headquarters Company to ensure Marines within the RCT are receiving the support they need so they can conduct their daily operations to support other units, according to Iverson.

At the moment, Marines are focused on finishing construction and connectivity, ensuring Marines can communicate through the phone lines, radio equipment and emails.

Pfc. Christopher Tillett, a 24-year-old field radio operator, is one of the many Marines who ensure other units as well as Headquarters Company, have those capabilities. Fairly new to the Fleet Marine Force, Tillett is happy to deploy as quick as he did.

"I've always thought of combat deployments to be a good learning experience," said Tillett. "A lot of Marines don't deploy straight out of school. It's good to learn in the states, but you learn more in a deployed environment."

The communications section not only wires the base for phone lines and computer connectivity, but ensures infantry battalions and artillery batteries have the same capabilities, according to Tillett.

"We keep [communication] up and get it done as fast as possible," said Tillett.

Nearly settled in, RCT-2 is working hard to ensure upcoming units will have what they need in order to continue the fight. With a full staff ready to assist Marines throughout the province, RCT-2 looks forward to the upcoming year with high expectations of success.

• Date Taken: 04.16.2010
• Date Posted: 04.16.2010 14:47
• Story ID: 48250
• Location: CAMP DELARAM II, AF