Photo By Sgt. Ned Johnson | Pfc. John T. Smith II, a heavy machine gunner with Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Ned Johnson
NOW ZAD, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Most Marines wake up knowing how long they will work and what their job will involve, but the Marines with the Quick Reaction Force for Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, have learned to expect the unexpected.
"We are the QRF, which means every day we are out in this area doing something different for the company," said Sgt. Eric T. Smith, the QRF and heavy guns anti-armor section leader with A Company, 1st Bn., 2nd Marines.
Smith and the 12 Marines under his charge clear routes of improvised explosive devices, set up security checkpoints, and respond to any type of enemy contact.
"If a unit needs supplies, we'll go up there, drop it off, and then set up a security screen to talk to the locals and try to get information," said Smith, a 26-year-old native of Florence, Ala.
The team consists of several different working parts: vehicle drivers, machine gunners, and scouts, who have to be ready at a moment's notice.
"We're on call, 24-7, so they can call us at any time, middle of the night or during the day," said Pfc. John T. Smith II, a heavy machine gunner with A Company "Basically, if someone is planting IEDs or something goes wrong, they call us and we respond."
The Marines in this area understand the importance of this around-the-clock capability.
"It's proven that if we leave an area unattended, the Taliban comes in and plants IEDs right behind us. Whenever we go on a mission we come right back and set up security so they can't do that," said Smith, of Adamsville, Tenn.
The Afghan villagers even understand how the QRF Marines are helping, Smith said.
"We've asked the children and elders and they say that life is better since the Marines have been here," Smith said. "The Taliban would not let the locals use schools or medical facilities and since the Marines have been here, they have access to the schools and their medical care."
Whether they see the good being done or just have a sense of duty, the Marines are not bothered by the difficult hours.
"It gets tiresome sometimes, but that's part of it," Smith said. "It's fun to get out there and see new things and it doesn't bother me or any of the other guys on the team."
These battle-hardened Marines like their job because they are helping the Marines who need support.
"We have done everything in one day before: cleared roads, responded to troops in contact, dropped off supplies, and talked to the local people," Smith said.
That sense of mission accomplishment pushes the always-ready force through each day and will continue to push the Marines of A Company.
"Our Marines our accomplishing the mission day-in and day-out," Smith said. "You give the Marines here a mission and they will get it accomplished."
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2010 03:38 |
| Story ID: | 49573 |
| Location: | NOW ZAD, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,342 |
| Downloads: | 964 |
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