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FORWARD OPERATING BASE ZEEBRUGGE, Afghanistan (5/1/2012) —
Key commanders of Afghan and Marine forces took a tour of a
vital partnered position in Kajaki, April 20.
Corporal Kenneth Mull, right, a squad leader serving with Alpha
Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, talks to his Marines
before getting on a convoy here, April 20, 2012. The Marines of
Alpha Co. and soldiers of 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps of the Afghan
National Army defend OP Shrine and the surrounding area from
insurgent activity. Photo by USMC Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz
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Brigadier General Abdul Wasea, commanding general of 2nd Brigade,
215th Corps, and Colonel John R. Shafer, commanding officer of
Regimental Combat Team 6, inspected the position and talked to
Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers at Observation Post
Shrine.
OP Shrine is the northernmost Marine position in
Kajaki. It occupies the high ground along the northern side of the
Helmand River, preventing insurgent forces from crossing the river
and moving south. The commanders asked the Marines and soldiers
about the post and what it is like for the men serving there.
Corporal Kenneth Mull, a squad leader serving with Alpha
Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, said from Shrine, his
Marines have a clear line of sight of the entire surrounding area.
With sniper teams and binoculars, the Marines can see for miles
around the post.
Mull, a native of Lubbock, Texas, said
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the insurgents have no idea they are being watched. |
South of OP Shrine is Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge and
the Kajaki Dam. The dam is a key part of the Helmand
infrastructure, providing power to the entire region. OP
Shrine stands between the dam and areas of known insurgent
activity.
“As long as we want to keep FOB Zeebrugge and the dam
secure, we need to have Marines at OP Shrine keeping eyes on
the enemy,” Mull said.
The Alpha Company Marines
spend time at OP Shrine in shifts, spending the remainder of
the time at FOB Zeebrugge.
Forward Operating Base
Zeebrugge is also home to Golf Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th
Marine Regiment. The Marines of “Goliath Battery” support
surrounding area, including OP Shrine, in a variety of ways.
The Marines use M777 howitzer artillery to support
Marines for miles around. They fire illumination rounds to
give Marines visibility in the night and provide highly
accurate fire support with Excalibur GPS-guided rounds and
unguided high-explosive rounds.
First Sgt.
Christopher S. Gasser, battery first sergeant of Golf
Battery, said his Marines have done a phenomenal job. They
recently set a unit record with direct hit from 23.6 miles
away.
The next nearest Marine position is six miles
away, while the nearest known insurgent position less than
two miles away, but Cpl. Daniel Thompson, a team leader
serving with Alpha Company, said that doesn't worry the
Marines.
“The insurgents are out there and they're
watching,” he said. “It's important to present a hard
target. They have seen us, and they can tell that we take
our jobs seriously. They know we are not to be trifled
with.”
More photos available in frame below
By USMC Lance Cpl. Tyler Reiriz
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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