Hawaii Marines serve with Azerbaijani in Haditha

Courtesy Photo | The Hawaii-based 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment is headquartered at Haditha Dam. The Marines have been reinforced by soldiers from the Azerbaijani army since about 2004. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr., Task Force Lightning Public Affairs)  

04.02.2007

Courtesy Story

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
Task Force Lightning Public Affairs

HADITHA, Iraq – The Global War on Terrorism has become a call to arms for U.S. forces around the world. Hawaii is a critical and strategic location that serves as a hub for forces in the Pacific Region.

Among the units stationed there is the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

The 3rd Marine Regiment has fought in many of the U.S. wars including World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War and the first Gulf War.

On Sept. 24, 2006, the Hawaii-based unit continued a new chapter in its storied history when its 2nd Battalion assumed control of combat operations in the Gulf region again. They relieved their sister unit, 3rd Battalion, also from the 3rd Marine Regiment.

The 2-3rd Marines assumed control of the Haditha area of Iraq at this time.

Known as the Haditha "Triad" region, the area, located in Iraq's Al Anbar Province, encompasses three Euphrates River towns – Haditha, Barwanah and Haqlaniyah.

The area's population is estimated from 50,000 to 80,000 people.

Haditha Dam, which is located less than five miles south of Haditha, has served as the base for the "Island Warriors" battalion for nearly six months.

The Island Warrior battalion's primary mission during this latest deployment has been to weed out insurgents from the local populace. The Marines and Sailors of 2-3rd have been up to the challenge.

"The hardest part was taking over Albu Hyatt and building the (combat outpost) in November," said HM Kevin Collins, a corpsman from 4th Platoon, 2-3rd Marines. "It took three or four weeks and then we stayed until January."

"We took a lot of sniper and mortar fire," said the young Sailor.

Since the Marines use Haditha Dam as a base, a common assumption is they pull security. However, that isn't the case.

Collins, and Lance Cpl. Turi Gonzalez-Fawcett, an infantry Marine, clarified that the Azerbaijani army provides security for the dam.

The Azerbaijani soldiers have partnered with the Marines since about 2004.

They search dam workers and vehicles as they arrive to protect the dam's infrastructure. The soldiers man observation posts that provide over watch of the large, man-made lake, Lake Qadisiyah.

This allows the Marines to patrol the cities and main supply routes knowing that a capable security force is watching for threats over the horizon.

With the deployment to Haditha, these young Marines have learned of the camaraderie of brotherhood that being far from home provides.

Collins spoke of what he'd learned from his experiences.

"My perspective now is that life is fragile," said the corpsman. "I thought we were invincible until we lost our first (Marines)."

"Keep sending love and support to people over here," said Collins, who misses his wife.

"(And) best of luck to the (Marines) taking our place," said Gonzalez-Fawcett. "I hope they do a good job over here like we have. (As a matter of fact) even better."

• Date Taken: 04.02.2007
• Date Posted: 04.02.2007 08:26
• Story ID: 9708