CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Afghanistan — Leaders from Combat Logistics Company 151 and Combat Logistics Regiment 2 recognized 21 Marines Aug. 31 for their service in two different combat zones.
The Marines, who were awarded the NATO Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal, traveled to Helmand province, Afghanistan in early July after serving in Iraq's Al Anbar province for more than four months while assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward).
According to 1st Sgt. Charles Hutto, CLC-151 first sergeant, the logistics company from CLR-2, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, came to Afghanistan with a smaller than normal staff, but soon realized that certain conditions required more maintenance Marines.
A harsher-than-expected environment, coupled with damage caused by combat operations, led MEB-Afghanistan leaders to conclude additional assistance was needed, and they turned to Marines serving in Iraq f or support.
"The Marines who came from Iraq allowed us to push a larger percentage of our Marines out to the forward operating bases as maintenance teams," Hutto said. "This helped prevent units from being forced to send their gear all the way back to Camp Leatherneck."
Col. John Simmons, the commanding officer of CLR-2, expressed gratitude to the Marines of CLB-4 for the assistance they were able to provide during a time when the operational tempo was at its peak.
The Marines from CLB-4 that were sent here are trained in all facets of maintenance, with expertise in vehicle, generator, heavy equipment, electronics, and weaponry maintenance.
Some of them even joined those of CLC-151 on trips out to various forward operating bases and combat outposts during their time in the brigade's area of operations.
"We were stoked," said Elkton, Md., native Cpl. Kevin Delancey, a generator mechanic who came from Iraq. "This is the hot spot for the action right now. This is where everyone in the Marine Corps wants to be."