3/4 gears up for Operation Iraqi Freedom II

Marine Link ^ | Jan. 31, 2004 | Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

3/4 gears up for Operation Iraqi Freedom II
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200413175830
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert



CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan -- More than 800 Marines and Sailors from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, currently serving with 3rd Marine Division under the Unit Deployment Program, will deploy to Iraq within the coming weeks to support the security and stability operations there.

Commonly referred to as Operation Iraqi Freedom II by the majority of the Marine Corps, both 3/4 and 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, another UDP unit serving under 4th Marines, will leave Okinawa to join the rest of 1st Marine Division in taking over responsibility of operations there from the Army.

The Marines from 3/4 are eager to return to Iraq after serving as one of the lead combat elements during their first deployment to OIF.

In preparation for the upcoming deployment, the Marines and Sailors from 3/4 are focusing on a range of different training scenarios, according to Maj. Kevin Norton, operations officer.

"Before leaving for Iraq, the battalion is focusing on SASO training, or Stability and Support Operations," Norton said. "The training we are focusing on is a little different than some of the things we did the last time we were in Iraq due to the nature of our upcoming mission."

Responsible for bringing down the statues of Saddam Hussein around Baghdad in the first OIF, Marines from 3/4 will be "knocking on doors vice breaking them down," as Norton described.

The various companies are currently practicing procedures such as convoy operations, mounted patrols, hardened vehicle patrols, medical evacuations, communication exercises, entry and vehicle checkpoints, and behavioral scenarios, or how to deal with the locals in different situations.

Occupying the streets of Camp Schwab over several days during this training, the Marines are developing confidence in each training evolution by applying what they have learned in scenarios with volunteers from other units who are role-playing as aggressors.

"The rules of engagement have changed a lot for this trip compared to our last time in Iraq," Norton described. "This time we will be stationary for the most part as we focus on winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people and convincing them to believe in the coalition's objectives."

With 50 percent of its forces returning as veterans of OIF, all Marines in 3/4 are looking forward to the upcoming deployment to the Middle East, according to Lance Cpl. Jason A. Baromonte, rifleman with Company K.

"I consider it a blessing to get to go back for a second time," Baromonte said. "I think it's a good thing to give the Marines a chance to rebuild the parts of Iraq we demolished during combat last year."

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Photos included with story:

	CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan - Pfc. Kenneth Vidal, rifleman from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, keeps a sharp eye for targets of opportunity behind his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Marines and Sailors from 3/4 are currently training for the possible contingencies they may face on their upcoming deployment to Iraq from Camp Schwab. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
	CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan - Marines from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, currently serving with 3rd Marine Division via the Unit Deployment Program, cover both sides of a street on Camp Schwab during a convoy patrol scenario Jan. 21. After serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom less than a year ago, Marines and Sailors from 3/4 are returning to Iraq for stability and support operations. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
	CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan - Lance Cpls. Patrick Wilkerson, Chris Williamson and Gabriel Keith from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment sit in a defensive position during a training scenario on Camp Schwab, Jan. 21. Marines and Sailors from 3/4 are currently conducting numerous training packages in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Iraq. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

More than 800 Marines and Sailors from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, currently serving with 3rd Marine Division under the Unit Deployment Program, will deploy to Iraq within the coming weeks to support the security and stability operations there.

The Marines from 3/4 are eager to return to Iraq after serving as one of the lead combat elements during their first deployment to OIF.

 

With 50 percent of its forces returning as veterans of OIF, all Marines in 3/4 are looking forward to the upcoming deployment to the Middle East, according to Lance Cpl. Jason A. Baromonte, rifleman with Company K.

"I consider it a blessing to get to go back for a second time....I think it's a good thing to give the Marines a chance to rebuild the parts of Iraq we demolished during combat last year."

 

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The awesome.

 

        Godspeed, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment!

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[serurier]

Thank you very much , Marines is Great !

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Half of these Marines were there last March, faced potential WMDs, lost friends, toppled the statues on Baghdad Liberation Day...and now eager to go back and rebuild (and finish off the serious bad guys).

Our Marines are great, bump!

[windchime]

Bump!

[prairiebreeze]

A United States Marine: No better friend and no worse enemy.

Hello serurier and RC. Putting a bookmark here and an Big Bump for the awesome US Marine Corp!

[ibtheman]

Outstanding, going back with some pay-back bucks(rounds)! I had served in Camp Hansen,Okinawa. I had been there two times, about six monthes at a time. Our unit was always the, 1st Air Alert Batt. I remember all the training on Okinawa, and the other small nearby islads, we used for calling in air missions. I can say with all due honesty, Once a marine always a marine. I had served in 83-87 1st. Batt. 3rd. Marines, H&S Co. Comm. Platoon. F.A.C. Forward Air Controller, and T.A.C.P. tactical air control party. And truely miss being in the corp, and i am so thankful for doing four yours of government time!!! I alsome miss being stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corp Air Station!!!

[dixiechick2000]

I know Mojo and Mad Dog aren't with these guys, but this is a story that I found very inspirational. It really makes you say, "Where do we get men such as these?" In case you missed it the first time around, here it is.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/893278/posts

Thank you for all of your posts and pings. I know I don't reply very often, but I read almost all of your posts. Thank you all for the GNFI.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[blackie]

Godspeed, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment ~ Bump!