CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Two vehicles of Marines and two of Iraqi soldiers mounted up to patrol the area of Nasser Wa Salaam, Iraq, with only a few hours of light left, Aug. 17.
Corporal Justin E. Laramie, a squad leader with Weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, led his Marines and the members of the Iraqi Army on another patrol in their area of operations.
“It was a basic reconnaissance mission where we took pictures of a few houses that would later be searched in a cordon and knock,” the Framingham, Mass. native said. “Of course there are always unexpected things that come up and we have to deal with those as well.”
Upon completing all of their checks to make sure everyone had all of their gear and equipment, the Marines and Iraqi soldiers headed for Nasser Wa Salaam. The markets were closing down, but there were still plenty of people on the main streets of the area.
The vehicles headed for the first house to do reconnaissance work. Stopping on a small side street and dismounting to provide security, the 2002 Framingham High School graduate led his team to the first house a few blocks away. After conducting a cursory inspection, they headed back to the convoy without incident.
The Marines and Iraqis who provided security for the vehicles were approached by many of the local children asking for water or food. Together they provided the locals with whatever they had to spare at that time.
Then they searched a second house, which was similar to the first with nothing out of the ordinary happening. The Marines and Iraqi soldiers continued to patrol throughout the city checking areas that might contain things of significance to the mission.
“Doing the ‘recon’ on the houses went smoothly which is how we want it to go,” Laramie stated.
After poking around one of the nearby gas stations for anything unusual, Laramie received a call over the radio about shots being fired near Market St. The Marine-Iraqi team loaded up quickly to investigate. Upon arrival to Market St. more shots were heard being fired in an unknown direction so everyone took up positions to see what they could find.
Some Iraqi soldiers started asking the locals if they saw anything. The townsfolk gave them a description of man in a white shirt and pants. After some quick thinking, Laramie gathered his forces and started searching nearby houses for the person who fired the shots.
More locals helped out by giving a general direction in which to head. Laramie sent everyone into action by heading that way as quickly as possible. After an hour of searching with only the moonlight as illumination, Laramie and his group headed back to Camp India to rest up for their next patrol.
“The patrol was a success, no one was injured and we got what we needed to complete a mission later on down the road,” Laramie stated.