KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition engineers completed road improvements in Marjah District, Helmand province, recently, enhancing freedom of movement for local villagers and coalition forces.
Improvements included widening the road and applying several tons of gravel to increase the road’s stability. The engineers repaired more than three miles (4.8 kilometers) of road leading to Patrol Base Beatley and Patrol Base Dakota.
Before the repairs, vehicles no larger than a small car or van were able to traverse the road, making it difficult for Marines and sailors at the forward operating bases to receive necessary supplies.
"Up until now, they had to use helo support to drop supplies, whether it be water, chow or mail," said U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jason Leader, platoon sergeant, Heavy Equipment Platoon, Bravo Company. "Now we opened this route up so they can use military tactical vehicles to make those resupplies a lot easier and a lot less of a logistical burden."
Not only will the repairs assist coalition forces in transporting personnel and supplies to troops at forward operating bases, but the improved road will also allow local Afghans to transport their crops to market more easily.
Along with road repairs, the engineers also replaced culverts to aid with crossing dried stream beds and canals and to assist the local farmers with getting water to their crops.
"We put in culverts so that we can keep the irrigation going so the farmers can water their crops," said Cpl. Justin Douglas, heavy equipment operator, Bravo Company.
Many of the locals are happy about the roads improving, and Leader said a few Marjah residents said they are ashamed the Taliban still shoot at the Marines, even after all the good being done out here.
"The local citizens love us out there; they are ecstatic for us putting in the road," Douglas said.
Marines with the 8th Engineer Support Battalion will continue to conduct road repair missions throughout Helmand province, aiding both local nationals and coalition forces.