3rd LAAD provides essential resources to close friends

Photo By Sgt. Charles Siler | Djiboutian children from the village of Nagad, Djibouti, hold up shirts given to them by Marines of the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 15. The Marines were in Nagad to dedicate a water reservoir they had constructed in the village.  

12.20.2007

Story by Sgt. Charles Siler 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

By Army Sgt. Charles Siler
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

NAGAD, Djibouti – Marines of the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., dedicated a water reservoir they helped build in Nagad, Dec. 15.

The Marines worked closely with the villagers from Nagad, a small community near Camp Lemonier where the 3rd LAAD currently provides base security, to build the water tank, which will store and supply the villagers with water if the power on their water pumps fails to function properly.

"Today we are here to celebrate our team scoring some points," said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Aaron Potter, 3rd LAAD commander, who compared the efforts of the Marines and Djiboutians to a football team trying to win a game. "This, what you see, is a touchdown.

"In order for a team to score points in American football, everyone must do their job, and everyone must work together. Teamwork is what has made this possible."

The 3rd LAAD's main role on Camp Lemonier is providing security, but they have taken it upon themselves to forge a relationship with the tiny village outside the fenceline. Marines visit Nagad regularly to bring bottled water, play soccer and distribute gifts and other supplies. The water reservoir project is one of the more significant improvements the villagers are enjoying because of their relationship with the Marines.

"The Marines are always welcome in Nagad," said Eltreh Farah, the village elder of Nagad. "I hope we will do many more things together as a team.

"I feel so good because they come here. I hope we will work with the Marines and the U.S. forever."

The 22nd MEU was in Djibouti participating in Image Nautilus, a bi-lateral training exercise with the Djiboutian military.

The 3rd LAAD is a part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa mission, which is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.

• Date Taken: 12.20.2007
• Date Posted: 12.20.2007 10:29
• Story ID: 14872