CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq(Dec. 20, 2005) --
The small but highly-
specialized group of Marines and Sailors perched
themselves on
rooftops with sniper rifles and binoculars scanning
ahead for
targets. Their job is vital, because from their
vantage point they
may spot a triggerman for a car bomb, a concealed
insurgent firing
from a house or an enemy sniper preparing to
shoot infantry on the
advance.
The Marines and
Navy corpsmen with 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st
Reconnaissance Battalion, temporarily assigned
to Regimental Combat
Team 2 during Operation Steel Curtain last month,
are not asking for
any glory in the limelight. Despite the countless
hours of training
under their belts, Recon Marines do not boastfully
consider
themselves elitist over other Marines—even
though their individual
training records would give a strong basis to
prove otherwise.
They went about
their work very professionally and quietly,
receiving thanks for their work from infantrymen
and asking for
nothing else but an opportunity to help.
"People have
the misconception that we are an asset to be
supported," said Petty Officer 1st Class
Shepley A. Reimer, 30, of
Colorado Springs, Colo., and platoon reconnaissance
corpsman. "In
reality our job is to make the job of other
units easier. We are
support for the infantry."
During the Operation
Steel Curtain offensive against insurgents in
Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi, Iraq last month,
Recon Marines from
1st Platoon were in front of the battle. They
helped in setting up
assembly areas, provided guides for infantry
companies to move into
attack positions and provided security for Company
E, 2nd Battalion,
1st Marine Regiment, temporarily under RCT-2,
as they moved thru
dense urban areas.
A radio operator
with 1st Platoon described in detail one particular
instance their extensive expertise came into
use during the thick of
battle.
"During the
first day at Ubaydi, we met some heavy resistance,"
said
radio operator, Sgt. Shawn N. Talbert, 23, of
Kenosha, Wis., of the
house-to-house, block-to-block fight against
insurgents. "We were
able to coordinate our forward units to support
the infantry,
provide medical aid and combat demolition to
those directly engaging
the enemy."
In the gritty urban
environment where Coalition Forces faced off
against insurgents, the Recon Marines felt as
if they had made a
difference and their deeds were their justification.
"I know we
are directly responsible for thwarting the enemy
twice
through our over watch," said Reimer, referring
to times Recon
snipers took out enemy threats. "We also
called for an air mission
against insurgents dug in a heavily fortified
position."
When asked about
their role during the operation, Recon Marines
re-
emphasized their role in backing the mission
and not being the main
effort.
"In our supporting
role, we allowed Company E to do their job more
effectively," Reimer said. "If we
can do that, I can say we have
accomplished our mission."
