Lima Company, snipers scope out Washir

Courtesy Photo | Lance Cpl. Allen Murphy, a radio operator with Sniper Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, looks down a tunnel created by insurgents to hide during retreat. The Marines conducted day and night security patrols in an effort to detect any insurgent activity. (Photo by: Lance Cpl. Eugenio Montanez)  

WASHIR, AFGHANISTAN

05.29.2010

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Story by: Lance Cpl. Eugenio Montanez

WASHIR, Afghanistan – Clearing out compounds and winning the trust and confidence of the local population, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2 conducted a 14-day operation in Washir, to rid the area of insurgent presence.

During the two-week operation, Marines resumed normal security patrols and spoke with villagers to familiarize themselves with the local area.

"Some of these locals are really good people and help as much as they can," said Lance Cpl. Allen Murphy, a radio operator with Sniper Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines.

While conducting patrols throughout Washir, a suburb lying outside Now Zad, the Marines found numerous caches with enough bomb-making material to make hundreds of improvised explosive devices.

"I am really glad that we found all those materials. It could have possibly saved [the lives of] many Marines and even locals," said Sgt. Brian Cofey, a team leader with Sniper Plt., Lima Company, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines.

Marines set up multiple patrol bases and change locations often to keep insurgents guessing.

"We patrol different areas every time to be able to cover the whole [area of operation] and not leave anything uncovered," said Lance Cpl. Alex Small, an assistant team leader with Sniper Plt., Lima Company, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines.

During the patrol, the Marines also captured several detainees to later process and further question.

Capturing the detainees will hopefully help fight the insurgency in Washir, according to Murphy, a Chicago native.

"I think we did a great job tracking them down," added Murphy.

Although the insurgents' in-depth knowledge of the area gave them the advantage during firefights, the Marines overcame a multitude of terrain and weather conditions while facing their opposition, and were able to accomplish the mission, Small explains.

"Most of the time the [insurgents] would be waiting for us to walk around the corner and then shoot," said Small, a Los Angeles-native. "We would adjust to the situation and fight back. Once the day was over, we were totally exhausted because of all the walking around, crossing rivers and all the firefights that came up on a daily basis."

The Marines fought in numerous firefights and secured several areas of Washir.

"I think this was definitely a successful mission, having done all this work in a short amount of time," Small said. "It's been the best work we've done out here."

After 14 days of fighting, the Marines accomplished their mission and are now resting, in preparation to fight again.

"Next time the [insurgents] will have to think twice before messing with us," said Small.

• Date Taken: 05.29.2010
• Date Posted: 05.29.2010 05:38
• Story ID: 50489
• Location: WASHIR, AF