Posted on 11/24/2008 5:33:58 PM PST by mfnorman
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In the city of Shewan, approximately 250 insurgents ambushed 30 Marines and paid a heavy price for it.
Shewan has historically been a safe haven for insurgents, who used to plan and stage attacks against Coalition Forces in the Bala Baluk district.
The city is home to several major insurgent leaders. Reports indicate that more than 250 full time fighters reside in the city and in the surrounding villages.
Shewan had been a thorn in the side of Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Afghanistan throughout the Marines’ deployment here in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, because it controls an important supply route into the Bala Baluk district. Opening the route was key to continuing combat operations in the area.
“The day started out with a 10-kilometer patrol with elements mounted and dismounted, so by the time we got to Shewan, we were pretty beat,” said a designated marksman who requested to remain unidentified. “Our vehicles came under a barrage of enemy RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) and machine gun fire. One of our ‘humvees’ was disabled from RPG fire, and the Marines inside dismounted and laid down suppression fire so they could evacuate a Marine who was knocked unconscious from the blast.”
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
Great reporting! That “designated marksman” should get a MOH. Semper Fi. God Bless our troops.
I am always glad that they are on our side.
Aimed precise shots beat a company of rag heads with RPGs.
Subtitle: Insurgents meet the M-14.
HOO RAH =
God Bless you each and every one -and hold you safe in His Hands
Awesome
More of the same, please
The only negative I see in the story is the fact that they let them “drop their weapons and run away” to fight another day. That part of the ROE is getting men killed.
Just another glorious day in the Corps.
Oohrah....grin.
“The biggest thing to take from that day is what Marines can accomplish when they’re given the opportunity to fight,” the sniper said.
AMEN to that. Let’s hope “Great Leader” doesn’t take those opportunities away from our Forces. Or else, they might have opportunities to fight over HERE in a few years!
Semper Fi Marine!
A great day for the Marine Corps indeed!! I hope that young Corporal gets the highest possible medal for his work.
Semper Fi you Devil Dogs!
Anyway, thank you troops.
This brief account of a soon to be forgotten moment in time, slice of life is what America is all about. The freak show election we just went through is the antithesis of this. Risking life for your for your country, risking your life for a brother in arms...compare that to the President-elect, preening, lying, conceited and his outright thievery of the highest office in the land.
Amen to that, patriot preacher! I hate the fact that the “chosen one” is going to be my sons’ CIC. Prayers for our Military. We love them!
I'm so glad the USMC is on our side.
That's a good day.
Whack ‘em and stack ‘em.
Ooorahhh!!!!
,,, by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire.
What made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting position.
“During the battle, the designated marksman single handedly thwarted a company-sized enemy RPG and machinegun ambush by reportedly killing 20 enemy fighters with his devastatingly accurate precision fire. ...What made his actions even more impressive was the fact that he didn’t miss any shots, despite the enemies’ rounds impacting within a foot of his fighting position.”
God bless the USMC!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.