Musa Qal'eh roads made safe by combat engineers

MUSA QAL'EH, AFGHANISTAN

10.30.2010

Story by Cpl. John McCall 

1st Marine Division

MUSA QAL'EH, Afghanistan – Safe travel throughout the roads of Afghanistan is a must for Coalition forces, which is why combat engineers with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), conducted a route reconnaissance mission, Oct. 30.

“We’re trying to get rid of IED's in order to protect the locals,” said 1st Lt. Mark Tetzel, 28, a platoon commander from Akron, Ohio. “The goal of the mission was to make the route trafficable by both civilians and Coalition forces, as well as escort civil affairs so they could accomplish their mission.”

With a history of improvised explosive device activity, the route needed to be cleared by engineers. Marines swept for IED's, and surveyed the roads for needed repairs.

“We don’t regularly travel that route so we had to make sure there weren’t any IED's in the road,” said Cpl. Gary Zavala, 20, a team leader from Bronx, N.Y.

The mission also helped Marines identify potential hazrds such as sharp turns, overhead obstructions and any other restrictive terrain that may limit vehicle movement.

Marines were successful in securing the route and allowed civil affairs Marines to identify road construction projects for the future.

“The mission went well. Locals were glad that we were there and we were able to identify key features along the route,” Tetzel said.

Engineers continue to accomplish their mission, even with the high threat of road-side bombs.

“I know my job is dangerous, but I do it anyway. I feel good about what I do,” Zavala explained. “I’m glad that my command and my fellow Marines have the confidence in me to bring them back safely.”

• Date Taken: 10.30.2010
• Date Posted: 11.03.2010 06:59
• Story ID: 59344
• Location: MUSA QAL'EH, AF