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FORWARD OPERATING BASE NOLAY, Afghanistan (10/22/2011) -
Many of the familiar trappings of life are half a world away
from the small base nestled atop a hill on the outskirts of
the Sangin Valley, but a handful of the Buckeye State's own
who are based here have found echoes of home in each other.
(Clockwise from back row, left) Sgt. John Paul Rodriguez, Cpl.
Joshua Kelley, Cpl. Joshua Keeton, Sgt. Thomas Bolander, Cpl. Ryan
Kaethow and Lance Cpl. Adam Roos pause for a photograph moments
after returning to Forward Operating Base Nolay, Afghanistan, Oct.
16, 2011. Ohio natives Keeton, Bolander, Kaethow and Roos are Marine
Corps reservists who have spent the last three months
shoulder-to-shoulder supporting combat operations in Helmand
province. All Marines currently serve with Combat Logistics Company,
Combat Logistics Battalion 6 – an element of 2nd Marine Logistics
Group (Forward). Photo by USMC Sgt. Justin Shemanski
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Hailing from cities and towns across Ohio, four Marine Corps
reservists have spent the last three months shoulder-to-shoulder
supporting combat operations in Helmand province. The rush of war
has drawn the quartet closer, but other familiarities existed among
them long before their boots touched down in Afghanistan.
Their parent unit, with which they perform their monthly drills
together, is Military Police Company Charlie based in Dayton, Ohio.
“It's great being out here with these guys,” said Lance Cpl.
Adam Roos, of Cincinnati.
Roos, a married father of one
daughter, serves as a machine gunner with Combat Logistics Company,
Combat Logistics Battalion 6 – an element of 2nd Marine Logistics
Group (Forward).
“To be able to talk about home and our
families, and get to know the guys you drill with back home is nice.
It makes us that much tighter,” he said.
Corporals Ryan
Kaethow, of Columbus, and Joshua Keeton, of Fairborn, Ohio, are also
married with children of their own.
“We'd spend time together
on drill weekends and our wives still talk now that we are gone,”
said Kaethow, who drives the lead truck for his platoon's security
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the company. “There's a closeness.” |
This closeness is, in part, rooted in another combat zone.
The men chewed some of the same dirt during a
deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when they
were activated in 2009. They returned home in January 2010.
A year ago, each of them was nearly settled back into
their respective post-deployment lives as college students,
restaurant managers and tree trimmers, when the opportunity
for active service came knocking once again. Though they had
been home for barely a year, all three men, along with
security team leader Sgt. Thomas Bolander, of Toledo, Ohio,
volunteered to head to Afghanistan.
The Marines are
currently tasked with daily missions escorting resupply
convoys throughout their area of operation. On occasion,
they complete multiple trips in one day. The pace is a
grueling one, but in the end, they all agree their time and
effort factor into a greater purpose.
“It's all about
support,” said Kaethow, as he explained how critical it is
to ensure the riflemen have what they need to continue the
fight. “We fuel their operations.”
The four, along
with the rest of CLB-6, still have a few months to go before
they head back stateside. Though the busy schedule before
them occupies nearly every minute of every waking hour, Ohio
is never far from their minds.
I just miss being at
home with my family, friends and my dog, said Bolander.
Kaethow's daughter, now 2-years-old, was born while he
was in Iraq. He looks forward to spending time with her and
his wife.
“We keep up in e-mails and pictures, but
I've missed a lot of developments,” he said. “I just want to
watch her grow up.”
Family is important to them and
it's the same sense of dedication which drew them toward
military service in the first place. It's still evident
today as they provide direct support to the infantrymen of
the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
The unit is
currently fighting its way through the Upper Sangin Valley
of Northern Helmand province.
“It's an honor to be
part of CLB-6 and to do our part to support 1/6,” said
Bolander.
Kelley, who serves as a vehicle commander
and navigator, added, “By the time we left Iraq, things were
winding down, but here it's fast paced ... a lot more
activity. It's great to be a part of something so big.
“I'm proud to hit both wars of my generation.”
More associated images in frame below
By USMC Sgt. Justin Shemanski
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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