Engineers improve 1/8's defense in Musa Qal'eh

Photo By Cpl. John McCall | From left to right: Lance Cpl. Timothy Lopez, 21, a combat engineer from St. Paul, Minn., and Pfc. Kyle Ruth, 26, a combat engineer from Santa Maria, Calif., move a Hesco barrier at a small combat outpost in Musa Qal’eh, Nov. 4. Engineers with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), were called in, to fortify defensive positions manned by 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. Hesco barriers were set up to replace many of the guard posts, previously built using sandbags and barbwire.  

MUSA QAL'EH, AFGHANISTAN

11.05.2010

Story by Cpl. John McCall 

1st Marine Division

MUSA QAL’EH, Afghanistan – With just sandbags and the mud walls surrounding the compound, Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, were vulnerable to enemy fire. Engineers with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), were called in to fortify the position, Nov. 2-5.

“The Marines were in need of some better defensive positions in order to protect them from enemy fire,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Pickens, 32, a platoon guide from Redmond, Ore. “They were also in need of better observation posts of the surrounding area, to improve fields of fire.”

Due to enemy activity in the area, 1/8 Marines set up a quick combat outpost to curb the amount of improvised explosive device strikes and small arms fire in their area of responsibility.

However, in order for them to remain at the small outpost they need to have a good defense to repel any attacks directed at them.

“Our part was to improve conditions so that Marines could better protect themselves through accurate fields of fire and strong defensive positions,” said Sgt. Victor Magana, 25, a squad leader from Pomona, Calif. “Sandbags and barbwire don’t stop all bullets, but a solid berm and Hesco barriers do.”

Immediately after unloading all their materials at 1/8’s position, combat engineers worked all day and into the night to complete the mission.

Many of the sandbag guard posts were taken down and replaced with Hesco barriers – large cloth squares filled with dirt. To fill up these barriers, Marines used a Tram vehicle to scoop up giant loads of dirt and rocks.

“A lot goes into planning a project like this. You have to ensure you can complete the job while also allowing the Marines to observe the area and provide proper security as you build,” explained Magana.

A berm was set up using a bulldozer to push dirt into a pile to create a make shift wall that encircled the position.

Engineers worked all day making sure that when nightfall came the outpost was secure, even if it meant working late hours.

After three days of pushing up the berm and filling Hesco barriers, engineers completed their construction.

“It was a lot of manual labor for us,” said Pfc. Kyle Ruth, 26, a combat engineer from Santa Maria, Calif., “but I am glad we were able to improve their defenses so that they can better protect themselves.”

• Date Taken: 11.05.2010
• Date Posted: 11.11.2010 02:37
• Story ID: 59887
• Location: MUSA QAL'EH, AF