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Marines ensure fight gets to Ramadi

Courtesy Photo | AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 21, 2005) -- A Rough Terrain Cargo Handler moves an ISO...... read more read more

RAMADI, IRAQ

10.25.2005

Courtesy Story

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By: Sgt. Josh H. Hauser
2nd FSSG (FWD) Public Affairs Office

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 21, 2005) -- With the turn of a switch the Detroit Diesel of a mammoth MK-48 logistics vehicle system roars to life signaling yet another busy day for the Marines here.

Nestled along the southern bank of the Euphrates River in the provincial capital of Iraq's Al Anbar province, a small detachment of Marines attached to Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward), continue their task of providing support to coalition efforts here.

Nicknamed Task Force Roadrunner, this combination of heavy equipment and motor transportation specialists work tirelessly to move virtually every incoming and outgoing piece of large cargo to ensure supplies needed to fight the insurgency reach their intended destinations.

"Our mission is to support the [Marine] Division and Army side of the house," Staff Sgt. Joseph D. Danielsen, the detachment commander said.

The Dewitt, Iowa native noted that without the hard work of his Marines, the efforts of troops here would be virtually impossible.

"If we weren't here the units couldn't accomplish their overall mission," the 37-year-old said.

Loading and offloading re-supply convoys and incoming equipment, the unit operates the only equipment on base capable of moving some of the larger containers which arrive here. During the first half of their deployment, they were the only ones capable of offloading and distributing the bases water supply. Along with operating the equipment the Marines also act as their own maintainers.

"When we first got here we had no motor transportation mechanics so we started doing it ourselves," Lance Cpl. Nathaniel J. Turner, a logistics vehicle system operator said. "If you're out here you're pretty much gonna" do it. There's no one else to do it for you."

Turner, a 21-year-old native of Ava, Mo., has experienced his share of Ramadi's dangers as well to include an improvised explosive device attack during a convoy, incoming mortars on base and a recent incident in which a sniper took a shot at his vehicle during a mission, luckily only striking the bulletproof glass.

"This place is interesting to say the least," Turner said describing his numerous encounters both on and off base.

A combat zone can vary the way you work but certainly doesn't brings things to a halt according to Lance Cpl. James D. Bolduc, a 21-year-old heavy equipment operator assigned to CLB-8 and native of Santa Rosa, Calif.

"It adds a little excitement to the work," Bolduc joked, "but you have to get things done regardless."

Although the unit works virtually around the clock and whenever their expertise is needed, their dedication and work ethic have not suffered noted Danielsen.

"The most challenging aspect here is probably the long hours they work," Danielsen said., "But they've been handling it exceptionally well and doing an outstanding job."

The Marines consider the quantity and final results of their efforts as a welcome reward in the overall operations during Iraqi Freedom.

"This is what Marines do best," Bolduc said. "All the training and preparation we did to get here is finally paying off. This is a major step for the Iraqis and their independence and it's great to be able to say I've helped out here."

As an Imam's call to prayer rings out from a nearby mosque the Marines continue their work with the belief that what they're doing is making a difference.

"The amount of work makes you feel good," Turner said. "Whenever we move materials you think, "I got that stuff out in town. Maybe that's a step closer to getting these people on their feet and getting us out of here.""