NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Marines stop insurgents with hasty vehicle checkpoints

by Cpl. Ray Lewis

Iraqis now drive on safe roads thanks to the Marines who set up vehicle checkpoints here on a daily basis.

2nd Lt. Jon M. Mueller, a 29-year-old platoon commander, patrols by a mosque near Mudiq, Iraq, Nov. 8. Mueller and other Marines of Jump Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment were there to keep the roads safe with their vehicle checkpoints. Mueller is from Denver and serves under Regiment Combat Team 5 and will be conducting operations for the next several months. (photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis)

That credit goes to Marines of Jump Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.

"It's making it harder for insurgents to move any contraband through the main routes of travel," said Sgt. Robert E. Mitterando, platoon sergeant for Jump Platoon.

The 24 year old from Mastic Beach, N.Y., and his Jump Platoon use hasty vehicle checkpoints, on-the-spot car searches, to control what traffic comes in and out of their area of operations.

Mitterando said the searches have been working. He recalled one instance specifically.

"We waved the flag and usually guys stop, but this guy didn't stop," Mitterando said. "That's when he finally stopped. Then we dismounted and searched the vehicle."

Mitterando and his crew didn't find anything in the car so they tested the guys' hands for any ammunition residue. One man tested positive for gun residue and the other tested negative.

"However, we took both in because one was consorting with the other," Mitterando said.

Mitterando said those men weren't the only ones they've caught.

"I'd say that we've picked up at least seven people from hasty VCPs from five different vehicles," Mitterando said. "We're going to keep doing like were doing. It's an ongoing effort."

Read more

judythpiazza@gmail.com