Posted on 06/18/2005 5:29:29 PM PDT by mdittmar
For Immediate Release
Release # 61-05
ABOARD AL BASRAH OIL TERMINAL, Iraq – An Iraqi Marine, working with U.S. security forces, said he and his fellow Iraqis look forward to taking full responsibility for the security of the Al Basrah (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya (KAAOT) Oil Terminals.
“It’s my duty to defend [the oil terminal]. It belongs to my country. It belongs to my people. Our economy is based on it. I take pride in doing so,” said the Iraqi Marine.
Forward deployed Sailors attached to Mobile Security Detachment 25 (MSD 25), the unit currently assigned to protect Iraq’s two critical oil platforms, train Iraqi Naval Marine Force personnel to take over all close-in point defense operations aboard ABOT and KAAOT.
“We are not just helping the Iraqis with the safekeeping of their oil terminals, we are teaching them how to soon takeover the protection of their country’s major asset,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Jacobsen, officer-in-charge of MSD 25.
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OIL PLATFORMS 2-2-2-2
ABOT and KAAOT are significant sources of revenue for the Iraqi people – revenue that is important to the rebuilding of Iraq.
“It’s very important to the way ahead and future of Iraq because it represents about 90 percent of the income for the country of Iraq at this point,” said Nichols. “That economic activity and the continued growth of economic activity is key to the way ahead for Iraqis determining their future and continuing the political process.” U.S. forces have provided security for the oil terminals since April 2004, after insurgents attempted to attack the oil platforms with an explosives-filled fishing dhow.
MSD 25 arrived on station May 23 relieving MSD 22 after that detachment’s six-month tour aboard the oil platforms. MSD 25 and coalition forces in the area surrounding the Iraqi oil terminals conduct maritime security operations (MSO) to set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. MSO complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations as well as deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.
Coalition forces from the United Kingdom and Australia joined the United States in providing Iraqi Sailors and Marines with instruction on basic military procedures and techniques.
“We train on how to stand a proper watch, how to work as a team and how to deal with manning,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Myers an MSD 25 training team member.
MSD 25 Sailors drill with Iraqi personnel three to four times a day, stand under-instruction watches and give one-on-one feedback.
“The common goal that we’re trying to reach is to get them on their feet and be able to eventually stand the watch themselves,” said Myers.
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OIL PLATFORMS 3-3-3-3
The Iraqi’s appear eager to master their new role and take on the responsibility.
“It is my duty to protect the future of my people and its economy,” said an Iraqi Marine officer aboard ABOT. “My people are so grateful that the United States, Great Britain, Australia and other coalition countries have reached out to help us.”
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For further questions, please contact Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs Office at 011-973-1785-4027 or pao@cusnc.navy.mil.
Actually, the establishment of the Marine Corps in 1775 was based on killing British Marines,but I get your point.
LOL...And they were as effective at it as they are today!!!
Semper Fi!!! Gysgt (ret) USMC
Thank you for your service,from the brother of a S/Sgt (ret) USMC.
Thanks for the ping!
They have a couple of quite good commando units: ICTF (Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force) and the 36th Commando, plus an Interior Ministry unit that I don't know the name of.
Well, very good---they are going to need them, and I hope that the "code of honor" that the United States Marines live under, is also their code of honor...
THAT is what makes that murder of those two Marines by the other Marine so awful... I heard Col. Hunt on Fox tonight say that it is just so hard to believe....this just doesn't happen to Marines...
Unless I missed something, the people you are referring to were not Marines, they were NY National Guard. I assume you are referring to the fragging of two Officers at the hands of a SSgt in Iraq a couple of weeks ago? I would be VERY supprised if something like that were to happen in the Corps.
Okay---you probably know better than I...
I wasn't really paying attention to their "service" at the time of the story on Fox...I guess I was just in shock by what they did...
Col. David Hunt was on and was asked about the prevalence of fragging in the Marines...he made the comment that (I am relying on 24 hours worth of brain cells that have dies here, so bear with me)..in Vietnam, he thought that there had been over 1000 incidents of "fragging" by the Army, but that he thought there has only been about 100 in the Marines...
He therefore feels that it is very rare, and when you add that this IS an all volunteer military, it is surprising that this guy would go to the lengths he did...
I was under the impression that the two that died were Marines, and the suspect was National Guard...
Like I said though, I might have gotten their branch of the service wrong---I was also reading the threads about the Iraqi Marines, and go confused about that...
My home state--CONFUSION, USA!!! lol
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