Marine detachment in Ramadi provides transportation, building capabilities for increased security operations

Photo By Sgt. Stephen Holt | A humvee with Combat Logistics Detachment 115?s security company drives through the streets of Ramadi as the sun begins to rise on July 6, 2006. Combat Logistics Detachment 115 has been working to build combat outposts and transporting Iraqi Army and Iraqi police throughout the city of Ramadi in an effort to establish an Iraqi Army and police presence in the city. The detachment was formed from Combat Logistics Regiment 15 based at Camp Taqaddum east of here and is providing logistics support to the U.S. Army's 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division currently responsible for security operations in the city. (Official USMC photograph by Cpl. Stephen Holt. 060706-M-7799R-002. Released.)  

IRAQ

07.10.2006

Courtesy Story

1st Marine Logistics Group

After securing the Ramadi General Hospital earlier this week, efforts are being made to construct a nearby combat outpost where U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces will operate from in an effort to maintain a permanent presence in the area.

The combat outpost is located in close proximity to the city's hospital, which is believed to have been frequently used by insurgents to treat their wounded and coordinate attacks, said Maj. Maria J. Pallotta, the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Detachment 115, a contingent of approximately 80 Marines supporting the increased security operations in the city.

The Marines are using armored bulldozers, called TRAMs, to emplace concrete and sand-filled barriers to fortify the position, said Pallotta, a 35-year-old native of Cleveland, Ohio.

TRAM is an acronym for "Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated steering, Multi-purpose".

Iraqi and Coalition forces have previously received sniper fire from the hospital on multiple occasions and credible intelligence reports indicated the hospital was being used as an insurgent safe haven and command center, according to a U.S. military press release.

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit that led the operation to secure the hospital, are maintaining security at the new position as Marines from CLD 115 construct the latest in a series of outposts scattered throughout the city.

This latest outpost is being built around an abandoned house which lacks running water and electricity, just one of the many difficulties the Marines face while securing the position.

With gun shots and explosions at all hours of the day in the city " proof of the city's insurgent activity " the fortifications being built by CLD 115 should provide much needed protection for coalition and Iraqi forces who will be responsible for maintaining security around the hospital.

CLD 115 will also provide escorts and transportation for hundreds of Iraqi soldiers and police with their heavily armored troop transport trucks to the new hospital outpost. They have been conducting this transport mission throughout the city since operations started in mid-June.

"Iraqi police units are in the process of assuming primary responsibility for hospital security in order to facilitate its return to normal operations," said Col. Sean B. MacFarland, commander of all coalition forces in the area.

These efforts are part of an over all mission to rid the capital of Al Anbar province from insurgent activity by gradually developing an Iraqi Army and police presence throughout the city, say military officials.

The Marines of the CLD 115 are in a direct support role, which means they deliver supplies directly to the units requesting it - in this case the U.S. Army's 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Divison, rather than to other logistics units who then support smaller commands, said Pallotta.

This direct support role has given the Marines a different sense of accomplishment than what they were used to.

"You know that you're doing something because you see the results of your work first hand," said Lance Cpl. Blake Dale, a field radio operator with CLD 115.

Operating in the city of Ramadi has been unique experience for the Marines of CLD 115, who typically operate from Camp Taqaddum, a logistics hub east of here and home of the 1st Marine Logistics Group, which has no major urban development in the surrounding area.

"Everything is a lot more complex in the city," said Dale, who has been on numerous convoys here. "The city can be dangerous because there are more places to hide. It's different and more intense."

• Date Taken: 07.10.2006
• Date Posted: 07.10.2006 14:55
• Story ID: 7108
• Location: IQ