Posted on 09/12/2005 4:46:48 PM PDT by SandRat
NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 11, 2005) -- The empty silence of a decimated New Orleans street is broken by the call of an infantryman, "United States Marines. Is anyone in there?"
For the past six days, Marines from B Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, have been conducting search-and-rescue patrols with the help of Assault Amphibian Vehicles from 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion.
Since their arrival here Sept. 5 as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force St. Bernard, the Marines of 1/8 and 4th Tracks have rescued 78 residents of New Orleans' hardest-hit areas.
"We provide a unique capability to ongoing search and rescue efforts," said Maj. Henry June Jr., inspector instructor for B Company, 4th AAV Battalion, a reserve unit based out of Jacksonville, Fla. "It's very difficult for wheeled vehicles to get to the parts of the city we have been searching. We are the only tracked vehicle that can float, and that allows us to maneuver to hard-to-reach areas and disembark infantry to search."
Although initial damage from the actual hurricane was less than anticipated, the rain and surge from the storm caused several of the city's levies to break, sending a tidal wave of water into many parts of the surrounding area.
Navigating down debris-strewn city streets with up to ten feet of standing water, the Marines have been operating mostly in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes.
Having experienced hurricanes before, 2nd Lt. Keeton R. Easley, 1st Platoon commander for B Co., 1/8, said he was shocked to see the extent of the damage.
"We didn't expect it to be this bad," Easley said. "However, despite the conditions, my Marines have handled their mission with great professionalism. They have done everything that's been asked of them and more."
As some of the first rescue efforts to reach areas of the city still mostly under water, the Marines patrolled down rivers of water that used to be streets and highways, looking for signs of life and those in need of rescue.
"It's encouraging to see military personnel coming home to support the home front," June said. "Whether here in Louisiana or overseas, our mission is to support and defend the United States of America."
Due to the contamination of the water, the Marines maneuvered their amtracs along the sides of two-story buildings and the few dry patches of ground in order to get out and look for those in need.
One of Bravo's Marines, a native of near-by Slidell, said this mission had a special place in his heart.
"It means a lot because I am able to get out and help people," said Cpl. Kyle E. Gaubert, 2nd squad leader, 1st Platoon, B Co. "It feels good to be a part of this mission, and we will continue to provide any assistance we can."
After rescuing more than 70 people, the Marines of 1/8 and 4th Tracks prepare to shift their focus of effort towards clean-up and recovery.
"These Marines came down here to accomplish any mission they are given," Easley said. "I couldn't be prouder to lead a platoon, than I am to lead these Marines."
USMC Cares and will leave no one behind
Personally I don't like to see pics like this in the CONUS. Bothers me to see comabt vehicles patrolling a US street.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/ae82f18a8e1b160b852568ba007e7e5e/31e7156f9b9bcaa78525707a0043119a/$FILE/20050908-M-0884-D-001.jpg
My house in Baton Rouge looked a lot like this one once. Water up to the doors, but not quite in.
"Bothers me to see combat vehicles patrolling a US street."
Bothers me alittle too but what else could be done?
Well, the LCAC's wouldn't fit - besides, you wouldn't be able to hear anyone over the engines.
The Marines were there DURING the storm! As were U.S. Navy and Coast Guard personnel at the New Orleans Naval Base!
"Bothers me to see comabt vehicles patrolling a US street"
Why did I bother putting my life on the line to save this country? Ungrateful ignorant boors!
As a Marine - if you don't like it, close your eyes and drown in your self-pity.
That is the most asinine statement I've ever heard. More fodder for the "progressive slave farms" May you rest in peace.
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
John Stuart Mill - English economist & philosopher (1806 - 1873)
Senor hombre-- you misread my intent. trust me. ;-)
My point is about how it is a shame that US Marines, the world's finest fighting force, have to patrol a US street to ward off an internal enemy -- our own citizens.
I appreciate your passion and your service. My father was first a Marine and then a Naval aviator. My mother was a Wave. My brother was a Ranger. I was NPQ. That makes me a wannabe and a wishIwas. You served. I never could. I would never diss the US military and particularly the MArines.
It's just disgraceful how people will behave -- requiring our brave GIs to go on armed patrols within our own borders.
If I needed them in our neighborhood, I would welcome them.
Your comments are unjust and unwarranted.
"Why did I bother putting my life on the line to save this country? Ungrateful ignorant boors!"
Because that is what Marines are supposed to do and what we were/are paid for.
Clearly the purpose of the Servicemen and Women of all branches and their equipment in the areas damaged by the Hurricane is to save lives. They are not oppressing anyone.
Nonetheless a citizen or citizens expressing concern for the presence of US Military forces and equipment conducting operations on the streets of America is legitimate. Even if their concerns may be unwarranted in this case.
If there is anything that bothers me is the idea that AMTRACS (Amphibious Tractors) just like the one you are looking at are being used in IRAQ to ferry Marines around in a combat zone even when they are not engaged in amphibious operations.
What does that mean?
The vehicles purpose is to ferry Marines ashore and move them a short distance inland to disembark. It was designed to float and provide minimal protection from small arms and shrapnel from artillery. Not against IEDs, road mines or RPGs. Please notice the high flat sides of the AMTRAC they would be below the surface at sea with only a few feet out of the water but are very vulnerable ashore. It is a light weight vehicle made of an aluminum alloy and not designed for Urban Combat. Our young Marines should not be forced to use such a vehicle in the high threat environment of Iraq.
They are however well suited to assault enemy held beaches while protecting the lives of young Marines or to maneuver through flooded streets protecting and saving the lives of those citizens who it is a Marine’s privilege to serve.
Semper Fi
Wm
BTT
All -- I AM grateful they are there. My point is that it is regrettable they have to be there ready for 'combat'.
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