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Buffalo Marine Leads Recon Through Danger Zone
(May 25, 2011) | 
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PATROL BASE ALCATRAZ, Helmand province, Afghanistan (5/23/2011) – Down
by the “Mini Helmand River,” as local residents call it, Marines
maneuver through the night to conduct surveillance. They are led by a
Reconnaissance Marine who fearlessly clears a path for his fellow
brothers in arms.
PATROL BASE ALCATRAZ, Helmand province,
Afghanistan -- Buffalo, N.Y., native Cpl. Jebediah Stevens stands
beside B Company's flag. on May 15, 2011 The reconnaissance Marine
with B Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division
(Forward), serves as a point man for his team. |
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Buffalo, N.Y., native Cpl. Jebediah Stevens serves as a point man
with B Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion.
As a recon
Marine, Stevens has always been taught to “paint the picture.” The
mission is to obtain information by observing the activities and
resources of an enemy or potential enemy, or geographic
characteristics of a particular area.
But for Stevens, It
doesn't just end there. As a point man, he carefully chooses and
maps out the route to any mission.
“My job is to come up
with a route where our position won't get compromised,” explained
the 2008 graduate of Orchard Park High School. “I've got to research
all the geography |
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and intelligence on the areas we patrol to make sure I choose the
right path.” |
The 22-year-old must take into consideration all the farmlands,
compounds, bridges, dirt roads, dry riverbeds, and rivers in the area.
Then he adds in the time of day and how the Marines will be traveling,
as well as where exactly they need to go.
Stevens said it's a
time-consuming job, but if he doesn't do it, it puts the lives of his
fellow Marines at risk ... a risk that may cost Marines their lives.
Stevens added he takes the job very seriously for that exact reason.
Once he maps out the proposed route, his team rehearses the order in
which it will patrol, and they go over the route several times. During
mission briefs, they go over the route he mapped out to ensure everyone
on the team knows where he's going and what to expect.
“We do it
so it's no surprise when we're actually out there. Obstacles should come
as no surprise when we reach them,” said Sgt. Matthew Powell, a native
of Kalamazoo, Mich., and an assistant team leader with the unit.
“(Stevens) picks the routes and navigates them when we're on patrol.
Being at the front of the (formation) makes his job one of the most
dangerous ones to do, and he does it without any complaints. He's just a
really good Marine and one of my best friends on the team.”
Stevens' hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. His superiors submitted him
for a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for superior dedication to
his duties and his selfless acts under enemy fire.
On January 25,
2011, Stevens took control of an M-249 squad automatic weapon and began
suppressing an enemy sniper position firing on two of his Marines,
according to witness's statements. His keen observation and accurate
fire allowed his Marines to move to a safe area and allowed his team to
successfully employ a Guided Bomb Unit, or laser-guided bomb, toward the
enemy position resulting in two confirmed enemy casualties.
“Corporal Stevens' performance during this deployment has been
outstanding. He takes ownership of all tasks assigned to him and strives
for nothing short of excellence on a daily basis,” said his platoon
commander, 1st Lt. Thomas Wallin from Mountain Lakes, N.J. “He has
continued this trend since the work-up period, as he is among the most
proficient Reconnaissance Marines in his peer group.”
Stevens'
exceptional route planning played a crucial role in the successful
execution of more than 118 mounted and dismounted combat patrols in the
span of 120 days. He said he does the best he can because he loves his
job.
“It had really been my dream for as long as I can remember
to be in the Marine Corps ... and it is everything I expected and more,”
explained Stevens. “Overall I'm having a blast. I love my job, and I
love what we're doing.”
Editor's note: The battalion is
currently assigned to 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The division serves
as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works
in partnership with the Afghan national security forces and the
government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct
counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat
insurgent forces, and enable ANSF assumption of security
responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the
expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance. | |
Article and photo by USMC Cpl. Marco Mancha
2nd Marine Division
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
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