Pendleton Marines cordon Fallujah

Marine Link ^ | April 6, 2004 | Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Pendleton Marines cordon Fallujah
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification Number: 20044674726
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva



CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq(April 6, 2004) -- Two Marine battalions shut down access to the Iraqi city of Fallujah by early Monday morning in an effort to isolate and root out terrorists there.

By Tuesday, five Camp Pendleton Marines from the 1st Marine Division were killed and an unknown number of anti-coalition forces were dead. Firefights erupted after Marines came under mortar and rocket-propelled grenade attacks during the first two days of the operation.

"The city is surrounded," said 2nd Lt. James G. Vanzant to reporters at the onset of the operation. "It's an extended operation. We want to make a very precise approach to this... We are looking for the bad guys in town."

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment surrounded the tumultuous city, known for being a hive of enemy activity.

The mission, dubbed Operation Vigilant Resolve, started when forces with Regimental Combat Team 1 moved to the outskirts of Fallujah and is expected to last into the coming days. It comes on the heels of the deaths and mutilations of four U.S. contractors in the city and a series of small arms, rocket and mortar attacks against Coalition Forces during the last few months.

The Marines, backed by light armored and amphibious assault vehicles as well as M-1A1 tanks, set up a series of checkpoints, effectively locking down the city.
Marines probed the city's outer perimeter, but haven't entered the heart of the city since the operation began. Reinforcements from the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, working in tandem with the Marines, are poised to carry out missions within the city limits.

"Our concern is precise," Vanzant explained to reporters. "We want to get the guys we are after. We don't want to go in there with guns blazing."

Iraqi police passed out leaflets to Fallujah residents urging them to cooperate to Coalition Forces and the city's mayor imposed a curfew from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. The mayor also banned residents from carrying weapons. Under Coalition rules, Iraqis are allowed to keep certain weapons in their home for self-protection.

The latest set of violence sparked after masked Iraqi gunmen ambushed and killed four U.S.-contracted security personnel in what appeared to be a coordinated attack. Terrorists launched grenades into the security's convoy, setting their two sports-utility vehicles ablaze. Their bodies were dragged through the streets and hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River.

Local Imams, or Muslim religious clerics, issued a fatwah - a religious order - denouncing the desecration of the American bodies. The edict, though, fell short of calling for an end to targeting Americans.

The 1st Marine Division entered Iraq with the motto, "No better friend, no worse enemy," which signifies the Marines' desire to bring peace and stability to the Al Anbar Province in western Iraq. Several large civic projects designed to boost employment and relieve harsh living conditions are planned for the city. Those projects, though, can't be acted upon until security is established.

"The Army spent more than $2 million in Fallujah alone," said Col. Michael W. Manske, assistant chief of staff for the Division's GX, a staff section created especially to assist in stabilization efforts. "We are standing by to execute a number of additional projects to support the long-range plan."

Manske said future projects include establishing and upgrading essential services in Fallujah, including water, power and sanitation. He said that Marines are also fielding requests from Fallujah leaders on other projects Marines might accomplish.

"We've established a good working relationship with local governmental and influential leaders in Fallujah," Manske explained. "But the violence that threatens innocent citizens of that city and intimidates local leaders and Iraqi security forces hampers our efforts to enact civil affairs projects.

"We look forward to the day when good order and discipline is restored so we can continue with the good work to help the Iraqi people," he added.

-30-

Photos included with story:

Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, patrol the city streets of Fallujah, Iraq. Marines isolated the troubled city and probed into the outer fringes to root out terrorists attacking Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC Photograph by Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III)
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III

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A Marine from Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, mans an M-240G machine gun at the Highway 1 "cloverleaf" outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq. Marines islolated the city after terrorists repeately attacked Coalition Forces. The Marines' operation is desinged to root out enemy forces.
(Official USMC Photograph by Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III

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Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division patrol the streets of Fallujah, Iraq. Marines first surrounded the city, blocking avenues of escape and probed the outer perimeters of the city to root out terrorists blamed for attacking Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC Photograph by Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III)
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III

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Marines from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division man an overview checkpoint at Highway 1's cloverleaf in Fallujah, Iraq. The Marines cut off traffic to the city in an operation to isolate and root out terrorist forces responsibile for attacks on Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC photograph by Master Sgt. Howard J. Farrell) Photo by: Master Sgt. Howard Farrell

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Marines in an M-1A1 tank block access along a main route leading into Fallujah, Iraq. Two battalion of Marines, reinforced with armor assets, isolated Fallujah in an effort to root out terrorist force responsible for recent attacks on Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC photo by Master Sgt. Howard J. Farrell) Photo by: Master Sgt. Howard Farrell

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Marines of Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, dig in while they wait to go in and patrol the city of Fallujah, Iraq, March 26th. Marines surrounded the Iraqi city after repeated attacks by terrorists against Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC Photograph by Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III

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A Marine from Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, provides security at the Highwaywy 1 "cloverleaf" outside the city of Fallujah, Iraq. Marines took up position around the city after repeated attacks against Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC Photograph by Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III

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Marines of Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion,1st Marine Regiment radio in to see if they are clear to start patrolling the city of Fallujah, Iraq. Marines set up checkpoints on all roads leading into Fallujah in an operation to isolate and root out terrorists who hve been attacking Coalition Forces.
(Official USMC Photograph by Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III) Photo by: Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III

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[monkeywrench]

Maybe they don't want positions and strategies betrayed.

[thoughtomator]

It's not about hiding US casualties, it's about loose lips sinking ships. Have some patience and we'll know the full story down to the man.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

We just don't slaughter people. They're Marines. No better friend and no worse enemy. They are Americans and don't panic and just pull the trigger. They are the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen. They will systematically slice and dice the scum element out of those areas with discipline and professionalism. These miserable rats have absolutely zero chance.

I have complete confidence they will keep collateral damage to a minimum and kill everybody who needs it.

These G-D cowardly bastards almost don't deserve to get their tickets punched by our marvelous men. But, they have a job to do and won't waiver one bit.

Neither should we. Shep Smith squeaking like a little girl on TV makes me sick. The Marines will do the impossible and make it look routine. They will accomplish their mission here.

It's just that simple boys and girls.

[getgoing]

Semper Fi prayer bump for your brother.
Just on the news - no retreat - our guys "are holding".

[maxwellp]

We are praying hard for your brothers and the rest of our great military!

[kellynla]

Breaking News on Fox is that the 1st Mar. Div. has taken some "significant" casualties today.
Unfortunately, it looks like there will be some Marine KIA's today.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[fatima]

Kelly,((Hugs))Karen my granddaughter just got home last night from Iraq and we are praying for your brother..

[amom]

Prayers have not stopped since we began this operation. Special prayers for you and yours included now.

[amom]

Boy you come up with the BEST posts!! Thanks again!

[Travis McGee]

Great Posts! You're the military's JohnHuang2 and Kattracks!

[SandRat]

No better friend, no worse enemy than a US Marine.

[kellynla]

Thank you all for your prayers.

Please remember those Marines who paid the ultimate price for freedom today and please remember their families.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[amom]

Please remember those Marines who paid the ultimate price for freedom today and please remember their families.

Done and DONE!

[BossLady]

Every day prayers and heartfelt thanks to all those who have sacrificed so much for American freedom every day....

[Uncle Miltie]

Good luck Private N! Happy hunting, stay safe, G-d bless.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you.

[wardaddy]

Iraqis are allowed to keep certain weapons in their home for self-protection

Not that it is at all important right this second but I wonder what is allowed in "pacified" or compliant/sympathetic areas of Iraq. Just curious. I bet RPGs are out.

[cherry]

I suspect that you are a DU sympathizer and are here only to cause trouble....

won't work, because even with differant ideas on FR, one thing we are all united in is the support of our troops and not in the second guessing of our top military leaders.....

[wardaddy]

Bush did not have the choice to go Dresden on Fallujah.

We are there to enforce regime change and kill enemies...not destroy the women and children as well.......it's a bit vexing...we have captured or killed nearly all the former leaders but are now dealing with mostly blowback sprouting foes.

I agree we need to get a bit more Machiavellian but with limits (compared to our resources). (i know..armchair perspective)

Travis mentioned lots of close air strikes and targeted hellfire last weekend and with the Spectres and other gunships aloft I bet that is what we are doing.

I don't think they have a lot of media with them because they fear they will inflict a fair amount of collateral damage....just my thoughts.

[wardaddy]

These G-D cowardly bastards almost don't deserve to get their tickets punched by our marvelous men

Hear! Hear!