KARABILAH, Iraq -- Iraqi Security Forces and Marines from Company C, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-2, swept into this desert city to destroy insurgency leadership strong points and to conduct counter-insurgency operations as part of Operation Romhe (Spear).
Company C formed a secure perimeter with their eight-wheeled Light Armored Vehicles on the edge of the city to prevent anti-Iraqi forces from fleeing or insurgent reinforcements from entering the city. The Marines manned roof-tops and sat in the turrets of their vehicles around the clock ensuring the perimeter was kept clear.
“It is not the greatest job, but if we weren’t here the insurgents would be receiving support from outside of the city,” Capt. Joseph J. Atherall, the commanding officer for Company C. explained.
The Marines and Sailors of 2nd LAR worked hard to keep the fighting enclosed in the city as well as sent sections to patrol inside of the city in support of the assaulting infantry forces.
“Our job in the city is to provide a support by fire position and to pick up enemy targets as we see them,” Cpl. Brian Overstake, an LAV gunner, stated.
“It looks to me like our mission is going well. We returned fire when we were engaged. Our Marines are pushing through,” the Medford, Ore., native, said.
“We are getting our job done down here. Everything seems to be going like we planned,” Lance Cpl. Douglas Galioto, a Squad Automatic Weapon gunner, explained.
“My mission was to support the vehicle with small-arms fire from a scout position,” the Socrates, N.Y., native, stated.
Second LAR’s mission successfully allowed the assault force to secure the city here discovering car bomb factories and the rescue of four Iraqi men being held in an insurgent torture chamber.