Posted on 09/24/2006 1:53:21 PM PDT by SandRat
SAQLAWIYAH — “America’s Battalion” is already familiarizing itself with locals in its new area of operations, meeting with local Iraqis and strengthening trust and relations.
The Marines new found relationships show how winning hearts and minds can lead to winning the war against insurgents.
Over the last weeks, Marines from F Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment patrolled Saqlawiyah and took a census of the area, conducting a show of force and gathering information on insurgents.
“The census helps us get a feel for the area,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher R. Hipkins, a 22-year-old team leader from Wilmington, Del. “It’s also to see if terrorists are making an impact on the locals.”
Marines performed “knock-and-talks” in the area. They established security around random homes and knocked on homeowners’ doors to chat about local concerns.
“The ‘knock-and-talks’ are to see if they can help us,” said Cpl. Daniel J. Kelley, a 25-year-old squad leader from Centerville, Tenn. “It also builds good relations with the locals.”
It was the squad’s first time patrolling the area and its first attempt to reduce insurgent activity there.
“It keeps the terrorist activity level down,” said Cpl. Mel G. Garling, a 22-year-old team leader from Canandaigua, N.Y. “It also lets the locals know that we are here to protect them.”
“Their confidence in us has grown,” Kelley said. “The chances of them helping us have increased.”
On Sept. 14, the Marines were rewarded for their efforts in building community relations - information from locals led F Company to detain a high-value individual and 70 others.
“It’s good that people actually care,” said Cpl. Nathaniel A. Clough, a 21-year-old squad leader from Kennebunk, Maine. “They share their problems with us and sometimes give us ‘intel’.”
I was with Fox 2/8 at Camp Lejeune before I went to Vietnam.
I didn't know they were called 'America's Battalion' though. If so, there are others (3/3 to name one) who use the same moniker. Semper Fi.
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