CAMP RIPPER, AL ASAD, Iraq -- A plume of black, acrid smelling smoke blurts from an exhaust stack of an Assault Amphibian Vehicle as it kicks into high gear in Iraq’s desert sand. The convoy of ‘amphibs’ or ‘tracks’ throws up yellow sand and dust that can be seen miles away as it makes its way across the horizon.
The experience is something many infantrymen and ‘tracks’ Marines have become accustomed to over the months serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. And it’s something insurgents will need to get used to as Marines of the security team tear through the desert on their mission to root out terrorists.
The security team is assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2 and consist of infantrymen and several other specialty occupations who respond to the call when tensions are high.
These men gear up almost daily with missions that include cordoning off buildings, searching for weapon caches, and flying into hot spots via helicopter to set up snap vehicle control points.
By nature, these Marines are traditional line infantrymen, normally outfitted to conduct patrols and other squad sized unit movements and missions within 3rd platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment’s areas of operations. But these Marines have acquired an entirely new set of responsibilities and have become a multifaceted unit with the capacity to take on an array of different missions.
“We did a lot of urban patrolling for security and sustainment operations before we came out here – all the rest was just thrown our way and I think we’ve adapted very well to it,” said 2nd Lt. Nick Wingate, the 25-year-old platoon commander. “No matter what we do though, all of the basics still apply. I feel we came out here really prepared.”
The team was recently tasked with recovering a downed unmanned airplane. The team was flown in to secure the sight and support the Air Force team that recovered the aircraft.
“For a lot of our guys, it was their first time on a helicopter,” said Wingate, a 1999 Madison County High School graduate. “But we’re here for a seven-month stint and they’ve got a lot of experience already.”
Unlike the average vehicle control point at camp gates, these Marines fly into random areas to setup up hasty control points to check vehicles in areas away from the camp. It’s one of the ways the Marines bring an element of surprise to their adversaries.
Another surprise the team brought to the fight was a recent cordon and knock mission as part of Operation Spring Cleaning, intended to root out insurgents from hiding. The Marines rolled up to a cement factory suspected of being an insurgent stronghold. The Marines cordoned off the area and searched through the facility, finding several weapons, ammunition and suspected insurgents.
The success of the unit is dependent upon their ability to adapt to the myriad of missions with which they’re tasked. The reason for their success is attributed to the way the Marines train, according to Cpl. Kevin Weber, 3rd squad leader and a 21-year-old Ridgefield, Conn., native.
“We’ve done a lot of mechanized missions and we fly out in the ‘helos’ as well,” said Weber. “As a line company, we’ve adapted very well to the versatility of the missions out here,” added the 2001 Ridgefield High School graduate.
“I think we’re successful because no matter what rank, the guys have the ability to think for themselves; and as a leader, I take all of their suggestions into consideration. That’s what sets us apart.”