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: 90% [?]

On one hand I didn’t like getting stuck in Al Asad because of a sandstorm.  On the other hand when I did catch a flight out it was on the Marine Corps newest aircraft the MV-22 or as most call it, the Osprey.

The Osprey is arguably the most radical one built in the last 20+ years.  It is radical because it can take off horizontally (like a jet) as well as a vertically (like a helicopter).

Primarily, the pilots choose to take off like a helicopter and wow it’s not like any helicopter I have ever been.  The Osprey just seems to jump right up off the runway.  And fast speed?  Better than any rotary-wing aircraft that’s out there too.  In fact, after we left the Landing Zone (LZ) in Baghdad we touched down so quickly (like 5 minutes) that I figured we had to stop at another LZ.  I was wrong as we were in TQ.  Normally, I would expect about a 20 minute trip from Baghdad to TQ.

If I was to make any recommendation for improvement then it would be to have even another foot between the people sitting across from me so that we can more easily store our gear.  But as fast as it can go why complain?

Check another item of my wish list on my Iraq vacation.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 61% [?]

I keep just having great the greatest time and experiences here in Iraq.  Last night proved to be another as I went on what I thought was the observation of a nighttime HST training exercise with a CH-46 Squadron (picture below) and a Landing Support Battalion (LSB).

Every month the CH-46s pilots must perform a certain number of operations (day and night) known as HST (Helicopter Support Teams).  Basically what they do is fly in one at a time, hover just a few feet over the heads of a couple Marines, and await the signal that those Marines hooked up gear to a line hanging down from the helicopter.

Its dangerous work for many reasons but these LSB Marines love it.  Just a few ways the Marines in the LSB can get hurt or killed include sand and rocks flying all over the place, getting electrocuted by the high amount of static electricity, getting squashed by 46, or getting knocked out by one of the 46 tires.

Going there just to observe I was right next to the 46s when they came in but after watching the first set (2 birds) they threw me rubber gloves and told me the rest where mine.  My job was to was to lock the hook when it came in then attach the cargo it to.

Talk about being thrown into the fire.  No training, just get in and do it.  While it was fun it was also a great learning experience.  No better way then to write up an observation and recommendation on nighttime HST operations.

Prep-Time
First we use glow sticks to setup a small landing pad to help guide the 46s coming in and as well to always provide reference to the LSB Marines of rally points in case something goes awry.

Next each of the Marines who will be in the operation gets two glow sticks.  We wear a glow stick in the chest area and back of our protective vests so that no matter what happens we can always find a Marine.

Normally when you use glow sticks you stomp on it and crack it for them to start glowing.  These Marines, however, have a tradition before they start the operations.  Instead of letting the individual Marine cracking their glow sticks the two Marines heading up the operation do it.

Everyone lines up for a gear inspection and then the two Marines heading up the operations kick you in the chest and back to crack them open.  The LSB Marines were all Sergeants and below so they were hesitant about me being of Gunny.  Of course I had no problem with and actually thought it was pretty funny.  It appeared they liked seeing the Gunny kicked too.

Time To Eat Rocks
Now we are ready to start playing so we walk to the cargo and wait for the birds to start coming in one at a time.

The initial wave of sand, rocks, and debris that caused by the 46 coming in is like a wall coming at you.  You crouch down a little, brace yourself, try not to eat dirt, deal with being pelted by rocks, and make sure you don’t lose site of the hook hanging down from the 46.

The reason why you do not take your eyes off the hook, despite the wall of debris, is because of the static electricity being given off by the 46.  Before working with the hook and attaching the cargo I must know the Marine next to me is touching the hook with a grounding rod else I get shocked / electrocuted.

My first one I had a little problem with the hook but afterwards not an issue as I better understood the mechanics and how to work with the other Marine and the grounding rod.  I ended up doing 11 of the 13 lifts.

Rocking Eating Time Is Over
While only being out there for two hours it does get rather draining.  Certainly must be hydrated and we had a good Doc on the scene as she was rather pushy with safety and water.

Just a great job all around from the LSB Marines and the Corpsman.

I continue to have a great time out here and owe the Marine Corps so much for what they have given me.  I have served our country my entire adult life and yet I still feel I owe them.  Love it.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 36% [?]

Just went rolling through a few towns the other day but when getting to Ramadi I was surprised how trashed that place still is.  Actually worse then what I saw of Baghdad.

Ramadi was a key location for the Ba’ath party and assorted other loyal Saddam goofs so the coalition forces did some re-decorating via at the outset of the war.  But still, it’s been how many years now?  Clean it up already as you and your children live there.

I was up there to take a look at a few places that we suspected as potential problem areas for movement.  In hindsight I think the whole place is a problem area.

Getting out of the MRAP I certainly gained a better understanding of their hardship but was also trying to reason why they didn’t rise up against Saddam.  Knowing that they are above pre-war levels in all the basic needs (water, sewage, communication, electricity, health, etc…) and recognizing it to still be a complete dump one can only imagine how bad it was under that yahoo.

Trash in the street.  Wires running like spider webs barely over the streets.  Metal objects sticking out of the ground everywhere.  Other then one soccer field I didn’t see anywhere the kids can play safely.

The populace is certainly much more used to use rolling through certain cities and areas and that showed the other day.  As soon as I got out to take pictures people to start coming out of their “homes” and seeing what was going on.  This is a pain because not only do you have to scan the area for IEDs as you walk and all the vantage points for possible yahoos but now you have to continually scan the crowd as you try to do your job.  Basically, you are looking for anyone in the crowd with a possible weapon, cell phone, camera, or just watching too intently to what we are doing.

All in all it was a success. I got the information I needed and the engineers got the information they needed to collect.

Below is a picture of an MRAP in case you didn’t know what they look like as well as some pictures from one of the streets we rolled down.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 73% [?]

Bottom Line Up Front: I don’t like the Beretta M9 pistol compared to the Glock 19 I carry at back in Pennsylvania.

When I got into theater I wasn’t that comfortable with the M9 because I probably only threw 200 rounds down range vice my Glock where I have no idea how many thousands I shot.

However, yesterday morning I went to shoot what I guess you can call a modified Quick Fire course and from the 25 yard line all the way down to the 7 yard line felt much more comfortable with it.  Normally, most Marines just need to shoot once a quarter out here but think I am going to be able to hook up with a unit that shoots every month.  At least until I feel almost as comfortable as the Glock.

Speaking of being comfortable, when I came out here I was hoping to get the M4 Carbine Rifle along with the M9 because of going outside the wire.  Just in case I need it, I would much rather be able to reach out and say hello to a knucklehead from a few hundred yards vice 25 yards with the M9 pistol.

While I don’t have my own M4 out here there are a few spares in the armory and I have a few officers that have offered to lend me theirs when I get off TQ so that’s cool.

Marines and their weapons.  Boys with their toys.

About the M4: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_carbine.

About the M9: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M9_pistol.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 39% [?]

Yesterday I once again got delayed due to weather.  Not a sandstorm but rather a lot of dust and a few thunderstorms in the area.  Weather looks great here as well in TQ so it looks like I am flying out later today.

Al Asad (AA) isn’t a bad place to be stationed either.  More selection of food in the chow hall and more unnecessary goodies to buy in the exchange but it’s basically the same stuff different location.
 

The only thing I didn’t like was that at night we wear a very bright/reflective belt so you don’t get accidentally run over.

One thing for sure you certainly have to pay attention here when walking around.  It’s like the human version of the old video game Frogger (click here if you have no clue what I mean).  Lots of military members, Iraqis, foreigners, vehicles, crazy drivers from seemingly every close by 3rd world nation.

Stop signs seem optional in some areas and in some areas staying in your lane is just a nicety because the other guys isn’t paying attention.  Not bad as driving in Barranquilla Colombia but close.

Below is a picture of one me (right) and my AA counterpart LtCol Terence Larkin (left).  Great guy who really cares about helping Marines and willing to do anything to get the job done.
 

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 31% [?]

Many times you sit around to wait almost 6 or 7 hours before they cancel your flight.  Today at least they told me it wasn’t going as soon as I show up.

Another night in AA but at least no sitting around useless all day.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 30% [?]

Grrrr to sandstorms.  Grrrr to cancelled flights and Grrrr to Al Asad (AA).

Because of weather my flight to Al Asad has been canceled for the 4th time.  Not sure but I am wondering is there is something too cool about AA that I am not supposed to see.  Ha-ha

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 37% [?]

Tonight I find myself writing and re-writing this blog entry as I just don’t know where to start.

We lost 4 Marines due to an IED just outside of Camp Fallujah (FP) on 2 May.  The 4 warriors were with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) which is under the 1st Marine Logistical Group (1st MLG) like me. 

I just left CF a little over a week ago and met a number of Marines while there.  I am not sure if I meet any of four as the Marine Corps has yet to publicly release the names. 

The Marine Corps recognizes the great individual tragedies that occur from time to time and work diligently to meet with all the families before the press gets word of the tragedy.  To ensure families find out in the most respectful way possible the Marine Corps shuts down all but the most essential communication (no phone calls home, no general Internet access, etc…).

It’s a sobering experience waiting for Internet access again.  You have work to do and need the Internet up but once its up you can picture in your mind the spouse, parents and siblings crying.  I don’t know how to explain it but for me it’s a bit of an eerie feeling.

Shortly, I will be heading back to CF to speak with a number of Marines in CLB-1 for business matters.  Hopefully, I will also have time to seek out friends of these 4 to see if you all can do anything for their families.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathon Jenkins

Popularity: 44% [?]