10A DECEMBER 22, 2011
THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.
NOV. 23 | HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN Photo by Cpl. Jeff Drew
Afghan National Army soldiers with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, pose alongside Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The two units participated in the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol across the district to promote confidence in Afghan security forces and engage local residents.
Victory in Nawa: Final chapter CPL. JEFF DREW
2nd Marine Division (Forward)
S
ailors and Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (Forward) slipped from the relative warmth of their sleeping bags, braving the morning chill, and began to prepare for the day. The final day of the Nawa Victory Walk was upon them, and the Marines were excited to finish the four-day, 30-mile patrol. The trek brought together Lt. Col. Tyler Zagurski, the battalion commander, and Afghan Lt. Col. Gul Ahmad, the kandak commander of 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, in a patrol across the district to promote confidence in Afghan security forces and talk to residents. Cpl. Matthew Noel rose from the ground and gave his bombsniffing dog, Sgt. Ringo, a pat on the head. Ringo had slept comfortably on the cot while his owner chose the cold ground, a testament
to the dedication Noel has for his dog’s health and performance. Noel dressed quickly, shook the cold from his bones, joined the other Marines, and stepped out the front gate of Patrol Base Kharaman. Ringo was taking the morning off and rode in a vehicle at Noel’s recommendation. In the past three days, Ringo had helped lead the patrol, searching for improvised explosive devices for more than 25 miles. “He needed a little bit more time to cool down,” said Noel. “I don’t think any dog has gone this far in this short of a time span. It’s a lot for a dog. The average IED dog can work for (a time determined by) how hot it is and if there is water in the canals where the dog can cool off. If there’s water, he can go all day. A lot of that has to do with the conditioning of the animal and how well you take care of him. I had time to build his stamina and his endurance, which has helped out a lot.”
Noel said patrolling without Ringo was different and uncomfortable. “It feels like you’re walking around and you don’t have your weapon,” he explained. Noel also mentioned the benefits of a well-rested animal. “If the dog gets winded, anything he passes he may not check, and you’re really putting yourself and everybody else that’s behind you in danger,” said Noel. “I don’t want to be responsible for that.” The final day marked the shortest distance the Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines would cover. They passed cornfields and canals, meeting with local Afghan residents and taking time to hear their concerns along the way. The men made one stop at Patrol Base Kochnay Prong, where key leaders joined Afghan security forces to enjoy tea. Rested and relaxed, the Marines and Afghan soldiers made their final movement to Patrol Base Norzai, where the Nawa Victory walk drew to a close. “The walk was a success. I think
we saw a lot of people and they saw us, and the fact that we were able to walk the distance of a very long district in relative security and visit with other security positions – it highlighted the level of cooperation we see in Nawa between the (Afghan) army and the police,” said Zagurski. “We were greeted and welcomed at every position, even impromptu stops led to offers of lunch. We stopped and had food several times with important elders and other members of the community who welcomed security forces with open arms into their homes, offering respite, rest, chai, and good conversation.” When the security forces arrived at Norzai, they realized what they had accomplished. Over the course of four days, the Afghan soldiers and Marines met with residents in the district, heard their concerns, and demonstrated the discipline and motivation of Afghan security forces. “It was a sense of satisfaction to see a mostly Afghan National Se-
curity Forces patrol walking with relative security through the streets of Nawa, enjoying the people and enjoying visiting other ANSF posts,” said Zagurski. “I took a backseat to nearly every engagement we made – I wasn’t the highlight of the patrol. It was ANSFled, and the people recognized that. There is a sense of satisfaction as we step back one level and we allow our ANSF partners to take the lead responsibility. I saw them take that step – they weren’t hesitant at all to take the lead. Whether it was the clinic ground-breaking, engagement with elders or discussion in the market, our ANSF partnership stepped right up to the role of lead responsibility and the people are accepting that.” Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a four-part series chronicling a trek across Nawa district called the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol by Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers.
JUNE 24
Sgt. Maj. Barrett pays Camp Lejeune a visit PVT. VICTOR BARRERA
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, the 17th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, paid his first visit to the service members of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune during a tour throughout the Marine Corps’ East Coast installations, June 24. Barrett’s first stop on MCB Camp Lejeune was the Wounded Warrior BattalionEast headquarters, where he met with wounded Marines and saw their day-today life. During his visit, Barrett spoke to the Marines like a friend who has not seen the other in years. He asked them about their families, plans after the military, what colleges they wanted to attend and whatever else was on their mind.
“We talked about the benefits exercise has on the minds and how it reduces symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” said Chris Clark, a certified athletic trainer with the Warrior Athletic Reconditioning program of WWBn - East. “Studies have shown that it changes the brain chemistry by decreasing anxiety, depression and night terrors, so we showed him how we encourage the wounded warriors to exercise at least three times a week for an hour each time.” Following his tour of the barracks, Barrett saw the new transition facility currently under construction near Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. He then joined the wounded Marines for a lunch at the naval hospital. Barrett’s final destination aboard MCB Camp Lejeune before attending the Ad-
LEATHERNECK FROM 1A homes in order to allow life to get back to normal. We are giving the people an opportunity to live in peace, something they have not had in years.” The Taliban was well-anchored in the area surrounding the dam, creating a significant security threat for any contractors willing to work in the area and local residents. Recent opposition by local tribal leaders had developed toward insurgent activities in the area. This dissension is believed to be from the heavy taxation the Taliban had imposed on local Afghans who used the resources provided by the dam. The Kajaki Dam is the main power source for Sangin and most of the Upper Sangin Valley. Originally constructed in 1953 as a result of an irrigation project by the United States Agency for International Development, recent reconstruction efforts have been slow and difficult. Security will enable repairs to existing power grids as well as improvements to the irrigation system. “We have an opportunity to improve the irrigation system for the farmers with limited investment,” said Craparotta. “Security and overall quality of life will change in
vanced Infantry Training Battalion’s Change of Command ceremony aboard Camp Geiger was the Base Theater where he spoke to more than 200 Marines. “I’ve already been asked countless times what I was inheriting by becoming the new sergeant major of the Marine Corps,” said Barrett. “I would tell them about Capt. Ademola Fabayo and Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez, two Marines who were recently awarded the Navy Cross at the Museum of the Marine Corps. Marine trainers and Afghan forces in the Kunar province, Afghanistan, were ambushed by 50 insurgents on three sides. Everyone went down, and multiple times these two Marines went in to help relieve pressure and each time grabbed a comrade-in-arms and took them out of there. So when I’m asked what I’m inheriting, I tell them ab-
the coming months.” Task Force Leatherneck made many efforts to warn area insurgents through leaflet drops and radio messaging. These communication methods were used to give insurgents a chance to reintegrate with the Government of Afghanistan. “The insurgents knew we were coming but they didn’t know when or how,“ said Craparotta. “The Marines in the field, fighting side-by-side with our Afghan partners overwhelmed the enemy. What is left of the insurgent force has probably withdrawn to the north.” Editor’s Note: 2nd Marine Division (Forward) heads Task Force Leatherneck, which serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.
Officer Professional Military Education
solutely fearless Marines.” After a brief speech about how proud Barrett was of the Marines he represents, he took time to answer some questions from the crowd. One question that arose was regarding the new physical fitness test for women in the Marine Corps. In an e-mail circulating in the Marine Corps, it specified that women would be required to do a 70-second flexed arm hang followed by six pull-ups to receive 100 points for that portion of the PFT. Barrett assured the Marines that the email was not the final draft of the new PFT, but that it is never too early to start preparing for whatever the new standards will be. Another topic that arose regarding females was the concept of placing them in SEE BARRETT 11A
LIBYA FROM 1A from the country’s ruler. Using two AV/8B Harriers, two MV-22 Ospreys and two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters carrying a quick reaction force, the MCB Camp Lejeune-based Marines conducted a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission to recover the pilot. The Marine aircraft began launching off the USS Kearsarge, which was roughly 130 nautical miles from the pilot - within 30 minutes of the crash - according to a senior Marine officer in the Pentagon. Marine officials attributed the quick reaction time to the versatility of the Osprey. "Total time from launch to return - 90 minutes roundtrip. That's what an Osprey gets you, that speed," the official said. According to official reports, the Harriers close-air support element dropped two laser-guided 500-pound bombs in the area in support of the downed pilot. One Osprey landed and extracted the pilot. Once extracted, the aircraft returned to the USS Kearsarge with the pilot. Navy Lt. Lauren A. Weber, a doctor with the 26th MEU, said the pilot returned in good condition. The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the names of the pilots will be released pending next-of-kin notification. The recovery force remains on standby while aviation assets are conducting operations in any environment. All seven Marine expeditionary units are trained, equipped and ready to conduct similar missions when called upon.
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Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael S. Lockett
Quick Reaction Force Marines with Company B, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, line the walls of the ramp to the flight deck and serve as another MEU capability able to respond to a variety of missions, March 22.