Marines rebuild roads for coalition forces and Afghans

Photo By Sgt. Shannon Yount | Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), complete road improvements in Marjah, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, improving road conditions for coalition forces and local villagers. Improvements included widening the road and applying several tons of gravel to enhance the road’s stability. The engineers repaired more than three miles of road leading to Patrol Base Beatley and Patrol Base Dakota.  

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

01.27.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Shannon Yount 

1st Marine Logistics Group

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), completed road improvements in Marjah, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, improving trafficability for coalition forces and local villagers.

Improvements included widening the road and applying several tons of gravel to enhance the road’s stability. The engineers repaired more than three miles of road leading to Patrol Base Beatley and Patrol Base Dakota.

Before the repairs, vehicles no larger than a small car or van were able to traverse the road, making it difficult for Marines and sailors at the FOBs to receive necessary supplies.

"Up until now, they had to use helo support to drop supplies, whether it be water, chow or mail," said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Leader, platoon sergeant, Heavy Equipment Platoon, Bravo Company. "Now we opened this route up so they can use military tactical vehicles … to make those resupplies a lot easier and a lot less of a logistical burden."

Not only was it important to get the supplies to the troops, but the improved road also allowed the local Afghan to transport their crops to market more easily.

"Getting to and from the market is a lot easier on them," said Leader, 35, a native of Springroad, Pa. "The roads in general … are in pretty shoddy shape so every bit that we can do to help make it easier for them to move around will make it easier on us."

Along with road repairs, the Marines also replaced culverts to aid with crossing dried stream beds and canals and to assist the local farmers with getting water to their crops.

"We put in culverts so that we can keep the irrigation going so the [farmers] can water their crops," said Cpl. Justin Douglas, heavy equipment operator, Bravo Company.

Many of the locals are happy about the roads the Marines are improving, and Leader said a few Marjah residents said they are ashamed the Taliban still shoot at the Marines, even after all the good being done out here.

"The locals love us out there; they are ecstatic for us putting in the road," said Douglas, 21, a native of San Angela, Texas. "Every local I have come by has been overly happy about us being out there interacting with them and making their roads better."

Marines with 8th ESB will continue to conduct road repair missions throughout Helmand province, aiding both local nationals and coalition forces.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2011
• Date Posted: 02.06.2011 05:07
• Story ID: 64894
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF