1/5 Marines teach Iraqis ways of the warrior, produce capable ISF
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.
More good news the old media will not report
They will as soon as they libs can figure out a way to spin this.
Go Marines. Our guys are the best. Semper fi.
But the RATS screamed that the only reason we went into Iraq was to take their oil! And now we're giving it back?!
Good news. Slowly but surely, the Iraqis will take control of their own security.
I didn't know that the Iraqi's had Marines....
Maybe that nut Willim F. Buckley Junior could take time out to read this article.
I didn't either. I glanced at this quickly and assumed it was our detachment of Marines now serving in the Persian Gulf. I just read about it in the canteen. I'm getting my wires crossed.
Iraqi Marines, huh?
Good post. What I truely hope also will come to be, is that a lot of foreign investors work with the Iraqi's to create a whole new line of industries over a period of time. Put so much industry both light and heavy, and various tech oriented business into Iraq, that all most of the willing can find jobs. The more modern industry (yea know like we used to have in the good old USA), they have, the more need for lower paying but equally important jobs such as road and building construction to just name two. Give them a bit of pride back, and show them that see, the yoke of Islam nor a tyranical non-democratic government does not have to be the way to live. I do think this is truely the goal this administration had planned to take place. Saddam in his tyranical regieme just made things easier to have this come to past. Put a "work ethic" into the minds of Iraqis. Once they see they can work productively and gain ownership to homes etc., they shall get a taste of what westernization is all about. They will be less prone to want Mullahs to tell them what to do.
“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.
Can any one explain to me when/why the Iraqis have Marines?
lots of countries have marines.
Dang---it IS true that you learn something new everyday!
You mean there are like a French Marine Corps, a German Marine Corps, an Italian Marine Corps?
I am sorry, I thought that though other countries had navys, air forces, and armies---that the Marines were uniquely Americas....I hate to say this, but I am kind of disappointed...
My father was a Marine, and I always thought of him as truly a FEW of the proud...Marines...sigh....
Ports,and a need to defend them.
1/5 Marines teach Iraqis ways of the warrior, produce capable ISF
Okay---well if there are going to be Marines in Iraq, I hope they all have the attitude of the one in this article...
He is very correct, it IS their country, and they need to learn to defend it, because I have feeling, just like Israel, there are going to be factions that will be fighting them for a very long time!
I am sorry, I thought that though other countries had navys, air forces, and armies---that the Marines were uniquely Americas....I hate to say this, but I am kind of disappointed... My father was a Marine, and I always thought of him as truly a FEW of the proud...Marines...sigh....
Your father,as my brother,are United States Marines.
They are the Few who train the rest.
Thank you--that means a lot to me!
There used to be Italian marines prior to WWII, but I don't know if they still have them. The UK, Holland, and South Korea have marines.
Russia has naval infantry, but I'm not sure if they call them marines or not.
The term 'marines' can be a common noun like in the above, or a proper noun as in U.S. Marine Corps. If I capitalize then you can be sure I am referring to our own vaunted jarheads :)
Actually, the establishment of the Marine Corps in 1775 was based on the British Marines. It is the esprit de corp that sets our Marines apart from the rest. Semper Fi!
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