U.S. Marines, ANP search for IEDs in Afghan mountains

GOLESTAN, AFGHANISTAN

06.23.2009

Story by 1st Lt. Kurt Stahl 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

GOLESTAN, Afghanistan — While a group of U.S. Marines mounted up for a routine partnered patrol with the Afghan national police here June 23, a report came in that an improvised explosive device may have been planted on a nearby trail.

In an environment where IEDs all too often harm Afghan civilians, the men of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Company F, 1st Platoon had to take the potential threat seriously and investigate the suspected area.

Sgt. Perry Bessant, 25, of Mullins, S.C., was the patrol leader for this mission. "If we see an opportunity to prevent something bad from happening, we react," he said after citing a recent instance where two Afghan civilians were found dead after stepping on an IED in another part of the district.

Within minutes of receiving the change in orders, the patrol exited the forward operating base and began pushing toward their objective, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity along the way. Arriving at the base of a jagged mountain, the patrol leader pointed out a trail crossing a small stream and moving up the base of the mountain.

Bessant's voice came across the radio instructing the majority of the Marines to set up security while another group of Marines patrolled with the ANP toward the mountain. He determined that if an IED had been placed on this trail, it would be located within the first 500 meters of the trail.

"We knew the approximate location of the suspected IED based on the surveillance reports received," Bessant said.

The dismounted patrol's mission was to clear the trail. Accomplishing this task would require the special skills of Lance Cpl. Zonell Westfield, a combat engineer with 1st Plt.

"My job is to use the mine detector to locate any potential IEDs," said the 20-year-old native of Cleveland, Tenn. "I try to think like the enemy and ask myself where I would put an IED."

With Marines providing security on his left and right flanks, Westfield made his way down the center of the trail sweeping his metal detector from side to side. While listening to the detector for any sign of what could be an IED, he looked for anything that appeared out of the ordinary.

"I try to stay focused and keep my eyes open," he said.

Westfield was thorough, covering every inch of the trail, to ensure that the Afghan civilians in the area and his fellow Marines patrolling through would be safe.

"You cannot afford to overlook anything," he said. "There are people that might get hurt if I got lazy, and that would bother me for a long time."

As the dismounted patrol searched for the potential IED, Bessant carefully monitored the situation and made sure that both the Marines on foot and those with the vehicles were providing adequate security. Every Marine had to be alert.

"We need to stay vigilant because the enemy will hit you with complex attacks ... They study our [tactics, techniques and procedures], and they will try to use the terrain to their advantage," Bessant said as he described the high ground surrounding the patrol.

After about an hour of probing, the patrol leader declared the trail clear and the Marines and ANP moved back toward the vehicles. To their relief, there were no IEDs along this trail today and everyone returned from the patrol safely.

"My number one priority in accomplishing the mission is ensuring all my Marines come back alive," Bessant said after the patrol was completed.

The Marines of Co. F, 1st Plt. work together with the ANP on a daily basis in the area to provide security for the residents of Golestan district.

2/3 is an element of Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counter insurgency operations in southern Afghanistan with a focus on training and mentoring the ANP.

• Date Taken: 06.23.2009
• Date Posted: 07.03.2009 13:45
• Story ID: 35948
• Location: GOLESTAN, AF