Marines look ahead to routing insurgents out of region

Marinelink ^

[SJackson]

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Nov. 23, 2005) -- Construction of bases for the Iraqi Army and U.S. military’s long-term security presence is steadily progressing in Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi.

Iraqi Army soldiers and Marines continue patrolling to ensure insurgents do not return. These patrols also involve detailed searches, looking for hidden weapons caches and deadly improvised explosive devices. Approximately 120 bombs and mines have been located over the course of Operation Steel Curtain.

Three aspects of the operation which makes Steel Curtain different from previous operations in the Western Euphrates River Valley are increased Iraqi Army participation, immediate establishment of long-term security presence and Iraqi Army soldiers taking the lead in security and care of the citizens temporarily displaced by the operation.

ZAIDON, Iraq - A Marine with 1st Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment stands guard over a local Iraqi awaiting questioning Nov. 14. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel D. Corum

[wickedpinto]

I used to say, when I was in the . . . military (Marine Corps) that I couldn't reenlist until I knew I could do my job. It didn't mean I Wanted to go to war, but it just felt dishonest collecting a paycheck while I practiced how to do my job. I would say that those Marines who are approaching a personal sense of mission accomplishment while actually doing their job are eager to come home knowing that they leave behind a prepared replacement, but I think they also are generally thankful that they know that they, unlike many people, have actually achieved a great goal, and successfully completed a difficult task, in other words? The job of a Marine.

[airborne]

As a retired Army paratrooper, I just want to say...you Marines kick a$$!