NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Marines Search for Insurgents in Iraqi Neighborhoods

by Cpl. Ray Lewis

Marines of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment are searching rural neighborhoods here for insurgents, improvised explosive devices and materials.

Sgt. Christopher A. Nelson, a 22-year-old squad leader, climbs over a wall near Patrol Base Steelers, Iraq, Dec. 6. Nelson and other Marines assigned to I Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment searched the neighborhood here to deter the insurgency. Nelson is from Hartland, Wis. All the Marines are currently serving a seven-month deployment in the Habbaniyah, Iraq, area under Regimental Combat Team 5. (photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis)

"Our mission is to keep the insurgent and IED threat to a minimal (level)," said Sgt. Christopher A. Nelson, a squad leader assigned to India Company.

So, the 22-year-old rifleman from Hartland, Wis., and other rifleman in his squad trek through the land's alleys and courtyards to make sure the enemy isn't doing what they're not supposed to be doing here.

"It keeps Marines and Iraqis safe in the neighborhoods," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph E. Perkins, a hospital corpsman assigned to I Company.

The 22 year old from Middletown, Ohio, and the Marines searched houses as well.

"Sometimes you'll go into a house and find something you'd didn't think you'd find," said Lance Cpl. Antonio L. Avila, an assistant gunner with India Company.

The 20-year-old rifleman from Linden, N.J., said it's because the insurgents hide amongst innocent Iraqis.

"We went into a house," Avila said. "We were looking around; searching the cabinets and found a trap door and we found a couple of thousand dollars."

The money stash was odd because the people didn't have any amenities there, Avila said.

"Those people were poor and barely work and have barely any food," he said. "The only reason that they would have money like that is for insurgent purposes. We ended up with one detainee out of that."

Marines said the detainees eventually gave up others accomplices. Even so, they aren't planning to stop these searches anytime soon.

"The faster we get it done the faster Iraqis can be independent and get up and going themselves so they can start becoming they're own country," Perkins said.

But for now, Marines will keep patrolling to send a strong message to anyone who threatens the Iraqis' way of life.

"We're just trying to find the guys that are making IEDs, shoot at Marines and threatening the civilians here," Perkins said.

judythpiazza@gmail.com