Every Marine pitching in for duties in 'America's Battalion'

Courtesy Photo | Cpl. Daniel Herrera keeps his eyes fixed on the business end of his machine gun. Herrera is an Headquarters and Service Company Marine who was attached to G Company to assist in the guard force. The Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, boosted their ranks at the outlying observation posts by adding Marines from non-infantry jobs.  

SAQLAWIYAH, IRAQ

08.28.2006

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

SAQLAWIYAH, Iraq (Aug. 23, 2006) -- No one gets a free ride in 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

"America's Battalion" Marines who were formerly a part of Headquarters and Service Company are now attached to G Company to provide security. They are responsible for keeping Observation Post Riviera secure from any attacks.

"This is an example of every Marine being a rifleman," said Pvt. William A. Rosales, a 24-year-old field wireman from Rialto, Calif. "I am supposed to do communication and now I am guarding Marines."

The guard force is responsible for many different posts within the OP. The guard's main mission is to protect the observation post from any attacks. Their job is important because G Company did not have enough Marines to run patrols in the area of operations and keep the post secure.

"Our job is important because the company has platoons going out on patrols or resting from patrols," said Pvt. Cryspin P. Nystrom, a 19-year-old field wireman from Warren, Pa. "Guard force keeps the main post secure, while the infantrymen take care of the AO."

The posts are set-up to ensure that no one can enter the OP without permission. Marines standing watch are armed with rifles or machine guns. Theirs is the first and last word on who gets into the post.

"I make sure that no one comes in," said Lance Cpl. Mark A. Hamilton, a 20-year-old food service Marine from Brunswick, Ga. "It's military personnel in this OP only, so I know what to look for."

Inside the posts, Marines watch areas where insurgents can attack. Any suspicious cars or people are immediately reported and tracked. Nothing goes unnoticed. The posts are manned 24 hours-a-day. They keep their vigil in the heat of the day, and during the quiet hours of the night, they maintain their watch under the green haze of night vision goggles.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2006
• Date Posted: 08.28.2006 15:24
• Story ID: 7576
• Location: SAQLAWIYAH, IQ