This was a long day out on a mission. I can remember the day like yesterday. I took hundreds of photos, there was a tank wrecker that had to be called in, and we also had another photographer attached to the mission. He was a civilian, but I don't remember who he was working for.
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 4, 2005) -- Hesco barriers and sand bags are still a commonly used tool in fortifying coalition forces bases, but new “T” barriers are becoming more noticeable throughout the area. Being place atop Hesco barriers for added protection the “T” barriers seen at construction sites in the United States are turning into an essential piece of the puzzle for protection here.
Along with delivering the barriers, which is no small task, the Marines of Charlie Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), conduct convoy operations into the city of Fallujah bringing food and water to the police station.
“We do the city run everyday to make sure the Iraqis have enough food and water,” said Cpl. Anthony Gaede, a truck driver with Black team. “What we’re doing out here makes me feel like I’m doing something. This is my third time out here. Last time we saw a lot more action, but I would still rather be here than back in the [United States].”
According to Sgt. Gary P. Owens, a truck driver and Lehigh Acres, Fla., native, the Marines are always trying to get road time.
“We do runs two to three times a day,” said Owens. “These guys will do anything to get on the road. Being out there makes them happy.”
The mission Charlie Co. has been tasked with is providing direct support to Regimental Combat Team 8, ensuring the units that comprise RCT-8 have adequate supplies.
“We get a tasker, or mission, which designates what we are going to be carrying, where we are carrying it and what we need to transport it,” said Owens. “Then we get everything set up the night before. That way we can get our brief in the morning and roll out.”
Recently the Marines of Black team assisted 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment establish a safe house and observation post.
“We basically gave them a place to fall back to if they need it,” said Gaede, a Neillsville, Wis., native.
For Owens, the greatest part of being here with Black team is seeing the Marines improve on a daily basis.
“I love challenging the Marines,” said Owens. “This is a really great group of Marines. You can challenge them with anything and they will get the job done. You can see improvement in them daily.”
“The teamwork these guys have is really awesome,” said Sgt. Jim Wood, a Flushing, Mich., native and platoon sergeant for Charlie Co. “These guys are like brothers. They fight like brothers and stick up for each other like brothers. They are a really close family, and you tell them to get something done and they do it, without question.”
Along with delivering the barriers, which is no small task, the Marines of Charlie Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), conduct convoy operations into the city of Fallujah bringing food and water to the police station.
“We do the city run everyday to make sure the Iraqis have enough food and water,” said Cpl. Anthony Gaede, a truck driver with Black team. “What we’re doing out here makes me feel like I’m doing something. This is my third time out here. Last time we saw a lot more action, but I would still rather be here than back in the [United States].”
According to Sgt. Gary P. Owens, a truck driver and Lehigh Acres, Fla., native, the Marines are always trying to get road time.
“We do runs two to three times a day,” said Owens. “These guys will do anything to get on the road. Being out there makes them happy.”
The mission Charlie Co. has been tasked with is providing direct support to Regimental Combat Team 8, ensuring the units that comprise RCT-8 have adequate supplies.
“We get a tasker, or mission, which designates what we are going to be carrying, where we are carrying it and what we need to transport it,” said Owens. “Then we get everything set up the night before. That way we can get our brief in the morning and roll out.”
Recently the Marines of Black team assisted 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment establish a safe house and observation post.
“We basically gave them a place to fall back to if they need it,” said Gaede, a Neillsville, Wis., native.
For Owens, the greatest part of being here with Black team is seeing the Marines improve on a daily basis.
“I love challenging the Marines,” said Owens. “This is a really great group of Marines. You can challenge them with anything and they will get the job done. You can see improvement in them daily.”
“The teamwork these guys have is really awesome,” said Sgt. Jim Wood, a Flushing, Mich., native and platoon sergeant for Charlie Co. “These guys are like brothers. They fight like brothers and stick up for each other like brothers. They are a really close family, and you tell them to get something done and they do it, without question.”
KHARMA, Iraq -- Corporal Matthew Labell, a truck driver with Black team, Charlie Company Motor Pool, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), mans a M2 .50 caliber machine gun. Labell is a native of Dansville, N.Y.
KHARMA, Iraq -- Marines using an M88 tank recovery vehicle place "T" barriers being used to fortify the position of an observation post manned by Marines from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.
KHARMA, Iraq -- Lance Cpl.Matthew Bailey, a Bullscreek, W.Va. native and tank mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), signals for the Marine operating an M88 tank recovery vehicle to pick up a "T" barrier being used to fortify the postion of Marines from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division.
KHARMA, Iraq -- Lance Cpl.Matthew Bailey, a tank mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), drags a chain used to move "T" barriers. The Marines of Black team, Charlie Company Motor Pool, CLB-8, convoyed the barriers to the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, to fortify their position.
KHARMA, Iraq -- Lance Cpl. Ryan Rigsby, a Farimount, Ind. native hides from the rays of the sun. Rigsby, is a truck driver for Black team, Charlie Company Motor Pool, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward).
KHARMA, Iraq -- Truck drivers of Black team, Charlie Company Motor Pool, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), take a break from the heat inside a house. The Marines were conducting convoy operations, delivering "T" barriers to fortify a position used by other Marines as an observation post.
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