USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - USA's Birth - Great Patriots - Heroes - Honor Halls - Music - Photos
Poems - Quotes - Reference - Speeches - Stars for Troops - Stories - Student Patriots
Videos - New Content
- About - Contact - Submit - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click Here To Google Search
 For USA Patriotism! Content
USA Patriotism! YouTube Channel Join / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
War and Tragedy

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

Marine Battalion Leaves Mark On Sangin
by USMC Cpl. Timothy Lenzo - April 15, 2012

American Flag Western Boots

Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs

USA, military, and other patriotic themed pullover and button down Polo shirts

Tough Tex American Flags

Telescoping flagpole with free American Flag

FORWARD OPERATING BASE JACKSON, Afghanistan (4/10/2012) – Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, came to Helmand province six months ago, cracking down on insurgents and extending a helping hand to locals.

Cpl. Randy Cripe, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, provides security, with the rest of his squad, while on patrol Feb. 27, 2012. Cripe, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, used Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wurst as his go-to-guy, using his ability to adapt, to fill the squads needs. Cripe used Wurst as his coverman and navigator while patrolling today. Photo by USMC Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
Cpl. Randy Cripe, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, provides security, with the rest of his squad, while on patrol Feb. 27, 2012. Cripe, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, used Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wurst as his go-to-guy, using his ability to adapt, to fill the squads needs. Cripe used Wurst as his coverman and navigator while patrolling today. Photo by USMC Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
  Whether wading through creeks while on patrol, setting check points in the dusty heat or drinking chai tea in a classroom of Afghan soldiers, they worked to train the Afghan forces and provide a safer place for their people.

“Our mission when we came to Sangin in 2011 was to deepen the hold that 1st Battalion, 5th Marines had accomplished during their deployment,” said Lt. Col. Seth Folsom, commanding officer, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines. “We recognized up front that this was going to be the pivotal year, the pivotal point in time that we would be able to push the (Afghan National Security Forces) in the lead.”

The battalion arrived in October, and as temperatures cooled, fighting began to wane. This break gave the Marines the opportunity to train their Afghan counterparts for the next fighting season.

Advisor team Marines with the battalion trained ANSF through various courses i
ncluding an ANSF medic course, a squad leader course, and an officer training course.

The advisor team also trained ANSF to conduct local shuras as a way to interact with local Afghans. These meetings have allowed ANSF to maintain trust and open communication with the local leaders.

Afghan National Army Staff Sgt. Sherhassans, senior medic, 2nd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, said he learned a lot from the ANSF medic course and was thankful for the Marine instructors.

“We love working with the Marines,” said Sherhassans. “They helped us become more independent and we always welcome them here.”

As the deployment progressed, the Marines began transitioning responsibility to Afghan forces. Folsom said 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, is leaving Helmand province with Afghans patrolling on their own, and planning and conducting their own counter-insurgency operations.

“Our primary mission was ANSF development, and I believe we accomplished that mission,” said Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, 3rd Bn.'s sergeant major.

As part of their mission, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, oversaw the construction of seven new schools, three clinics, several training sites, and hundreds of miles of road throughout Helmand province.

“The Marines have helped the people (of Afghanistan),” said Sherhassans. “Their help with schools and medical independence will last for a long time.”

Folsom said the Marines worked closely with their Afghan counterparts to develop a district security plan, which ANSF executed.

“The plan involved mutually deciding between our forces and ANSF which positions we would tear down and which positions we would transfer over,” said Folsom. “We also were able to mutually decide how to divide the battle space between the four major forces that were here in Sangin: the Marines, the Afghan National Army, the Afghan Uniformed Police, and the Afghan National Civil Order Police.”

Third Bn., 7th Marines, followed the district security plan, downsizing from 25 positions, to five independent Marine positions. The remaining 20 position were transferred to ANSF or torn down.

Fewer positions did not mean Marines stopped working in the area. Operations varied from daily presence patrols, to larger company- and battalion-level missions.

“I think the security in Sangin is in a great state,” said Rodriguez. “Evidence of this is the elections that were held in Sangin (March 28).”

More than 2,000 people voted in the elections, an indication that Afghans feel they can vote without the threat of insurgents, said Rodriguez.

“I am glad the elections went (well),” said Sherhassans. “It shows the people are happy and (feel) safe.”

In 2010, the last time 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, was here, insurgents used violence during the elections to discourage people from voting.

“Instead, on March 28, there was absolutely no incident of violence, or intimidation among the locals,” Folsom said.

The battalion's hard work to maintain security has developed strong bonds of trust with the Afghan locals.

“In certain areas, the local population embraces the Marines, and they continuously praise Marines for their efforts and the security we provide them,” said Rodriguez. “In some areas, they let the squad leaders know where possible (improvised explosive devices) are placed, or they extract them from the ground and bring them to the local patrol bases.”

At the end of the deployment, 3rd Bn., 7th Marines, packed their bags and waited for their flight. When it arrived, their replacements, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, came off first. As they passed, Marines from each battalion exchanged “good lucks” and “good jobs” with each other.

Third Battalion left knowing they handed over a more secure and independent Sangin.

By USMC Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
Regimental Combat Team 6
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2012

Comment on this article

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft