From dodging improvised explosive devices and grenades being thrown at their forward operating base and patrols, Charlie Company continues to engage an adaptive enemy.
Since their arrival in early April, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, has spared no effort to stop insurgent activity and help the Iraqi people in their area of operations.
“Since we’ve been here attacks have vastly dropped from what they were,” said Cpl. Christopher Adamski, an intelligence analyst with Charlie Company, 1/3. “I believe this change is directly associated with the way Charlie Company has been conducting itself during combat operations and missions.”
Adamski described the atmospherics of Haqlaniyah to be outstanding in comparison to when they first arrived.
“The Marines act and the locals see that,” 21-year-old Adamski added. “They see a competent force with me willing to risk their lives to improve a city that isn’t their own.”
Adamski, a Dallas, native, said he thinks a lot of the improvements are due to the way 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment left the area.
“Charlie came in and followed the footsteps of a great unit,” he added. “That played a big role in the current situation.”
Sergeant Kenneth M. Jones, noncommissioned-officer-in-charge, Detainment Facility, Charlie Company, 1/3, said when they first arrived the people seemed to shy away from the Marines.
“They now tell us they’ve been reassured by the way we do business,” Jones said. “We seem to be building more relationships with the people and when the time comes for us to turn over the area to the next unit it will be even better for them.”
Adamski said it took a while for the locals to get comfortable with new Marines in the city.
"The people acted like any person would when strangers arrive in their city,” explained Adamski. “Marines have been in Iraq for a couple years now; however, as new Marines rotate in, the local populace has to get the right vibe from them before they can trust them.”
Due to outstanding intelligence operations in Charlie Company, caches, high level individuals, and IEDs have been found, said Adamski.
“It isn’t just Charlie Company finding all these things,” he added. “The Haqlaniyah Iraqi Police are an invaluable asset to the company. Without them, the information flow into the intelligence cycle wouldn’t be as clear. They are an excellent group of individuals.”
Adamski said the local people have also been helping the Marines by providing Charlie Company with valued information.
“The local people are doing a great job letting us know who is new in the area and could be a possible insurgent,” said Jones. “Without the assistance of the people we wouldn’t be doing as well as we are.”
Adamski said the locals seem very happy when they see the Marines patrolling through their area.
“The people still need us. The economic situation here is extremely bad but lately has been improving. The local security force is currently being established. Although we’ve been in their country for a long amount of time, they are very appreciative of the forces in the area and support us.”