Photo By Cpl. John McCall | Explosive ordinance disposal technicians detonate an improvised explosive device along...... read more read more
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SANGIN, Afghanistan - Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines with Route Clearance Platoon 3, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), recently uncovered and destroyed three improvised explosive devices during a vehicle convoy Feb. 23.
The platoon was supporting 8th Engineer Support Battalion in its efforts to improve Route 611. The 611 is made up of poorly maintained roadways littered with IEDs.
On their way to 8th ESB’s construction site, RCP-3 Marines spotted an IED buried in the road and quickly went to work removing it. Simultaneously, a squad of ANA soldiers on patrol nearby came across two more IEDs set up to ambush troops if the first IED had gone off. Enemy fighters began firing at the ANA squad and the Marines on the road.
“I could hear the shots; they were real close. I was ready to shoot back, but I couldn’t see where they were firing at us from,” said Cpl. Ryan Gliddon, a 24-year-old combat engineer from Santa Rosa, Calif.
Positively identifying an enemy combatant is a common problem Marines face due to the enemy’s harassing tactics.
“Out here they are really good at hiding,” said 28-year-old Staff Sgt. Vince Mabalot, a platoon guide from Stockton, Calif. “It can be very aggravating getting shot at by an enemy you cannot see.”
After exchanging fire briefly, the ANA pursued the enemy while explosive ordnance disposal technicians removed the IEDs.
This was not the first time these Marines had found themselves in a dangerous situation. During a previous route clearance mission, RCP-3 found itself surrounded by IEDs in a makeshift minefield.
“We had no idea it was a minefield,” said Lance Cpl. George Whyte, a 20-year-old combat engineer from Colorado Springs, Colo. “We were making our way through this dried-up river bed when one of our vehicles got hit. They knew where it was, but when they tried to [examine] it, the explosives went off.”
After the first strike, Marines were repositioning their vehicles when additional vehicles fell victim to the enemy’s weapon of choice.
“Every time we tried to move a vehicle it would set off another IED,” White explained.
Marines dismounted from their vehicles and began sweeping for other IEDs that might be in the area.
“During the sweep we found about five IEDs, they all were real close together,” Mabalot said. “There were even some right behind our truck.”
Marines in the platoon eventually cleared their way out and continued with their mission.
Having been through some close calls, the Marines are reminded often of the important role they play in keeping the roadways safe.
“It’s important that we find the IEDs first, so no one else has to suffer,” White said. “That way the following forces can continue to operate and stay in the fight.”
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2011 06:21 |
| Story ID: | 66613 |
| Location: | SANGIN, AF |
| Web Views: | 270 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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