Last night we lost 2 more of our brethren. 

Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) were traveling just north of Karmah when one of their MRAPs rolled into a canal.

Two Marines died at the scene and another was Air CASEVAC’d here to TQ in hopes that the surgeons can save his life.

The surgeons are good men and completely trust in their commitment and desire to help Marines.  I say that because I personally know them.  I am with them in maybe 6 to 7 briefs a week and have helped them research many a subject.  Whoever this wounded Marine is he is with good men.

Often in the Marine Corps we say that success is our own worst enemy.  There has yet been a mission in Afghanistan or Iraq we have not successfully completed.  Because of this, the lack of men and vehicles mixed with a short timeline do not prevent us from rogering up.

Marines are for fighting.  Marines are expeditionary by nature.  It is the Army that is designed to be the land-based sustainment force.  It is not in the Marine Corps doctrine or mindset but here we are fulfilling what should be the Army’s job because of their inability to do so.  Marines need to be in Afghanistan and the Army to assume overwatch and logistics for all of Iraq.

Last night these warriors rogered up for yet another mission.  They helped keep this country from being taken over by Al Qaeda and the insurgents.  They did what they liked doing and that is of course being Marines.

It’s horrible what their family and friends are now dealing with.  Being parents and siblings to Marines I am sure that though grieving they understand and respect the decision their love one made in coming to this place.

In respect of the Marines we have lost, its time to let the Army take full responsibility for Iraq and then let the Jarheads have card blanch in Afghanistan to kill or capture the remaining remnants of Al Qaeda and Taliban so we can call this war won and go home.

Pray for the family and loved ones so that they can more quickly cope.

Pray for the safe return of the other Marines.

Pray for those who just left us.

Semper Fi brothers,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 89% [?]

Tonight we had another Walking Blood Bank but this time for B+ blood.  Just like the other day Marines and Sailors were turned away because so many showed up.

Unfortunately, this time it was an Iraqi Policeman (IP) whose vehicle was struck by an IED.  Both of the IPs survived, one had just minor wounds and was released but the other sadly had to have both legs and some fingers amputated.

Iraqis wounding and killing Iraqis just make the jihadist all that much worse in the eyes of the general populace.  It’s a shame that it has taken so many tragedies t get the populace to start having the courage to stand up for themselves.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 46% [?]

A Walking blood bank is when we call for everyone with a specific blood type to immediately donate due to someone being seriously wounded and near death.

Earlier today an Iraqi police officer took a few rounds to the chest and was rushed into our surgical center here on TQ.  Lacking O+ blood they sent out an emergency message.

The blood bank needed 9 donors and within minutes (literally) they had 30 or so Marines show up.  Not to sound dark but it was an awesome sight to see so many Marines running to the blood bank to give life to someone they probably have never met.

Unfortunately, a few minutes ago they asked for O+ again and being a “quite” day one can only assume it’s for the same fellow.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 28% [?]

I guess 30 some years of knowing how to walk stairs left me today.  My ego won’t allow me to assume full responsibility for my swan dive to the second floor though.  Iraqis are horrid at anything dealing with construction so I would like to credit them for my tumble too. 

Those knuckleheads “built” steps going up in this tower that literally are more tight and of more varying heights and widths then any castle in Europe I have ever climbed.  At one point the ceiling just drops a foot or so out of nowhere so when I went duck I ended up diving. 

Here’s to adding every Iraqi masonry workerr to our high target value list.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 28% [?]