Restoring order and safety on the roads (This ain't your local DOT!)

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^ | Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis

[SandRat]

CAMP HABBANIYAH — Like a surreal version of city street sweepers, Marines here are cleansing Iraq’s roads of unwanted materials.

But rather than clearing garbage and leaves, the Marines of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment conduct daily vehicle patrols to rid roads of improvised explosive devices and insurgents.

“We’re keeping the roads safe for fellow Americans and Iraqis,” said Pfc. Brandon S. Kyle, a 21-year-old from Angola, Ind., who drives a vehicle for the Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon.

Kyle said his team has noticed progress since they started working under Regimental Combat Team 5 a couple months back.

“The more we patrol, the less likely someone will put something on the side of the road,” said Cpl. Daniel T. McGrath, a vehicle commander with B Section, CAAT Platoon.

McGrath and his crew regularly run the dusty roads in this area west of Habbaniyah, looking for insurgents along the way, but it’s not just windshield tours for the Marines on this duty. McGrath said his team once had to dismount a vehicle to chase down insurgents after a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

Despite the dangers of purposely seeking out the weapons insurgents try to use against them, many of the Marines say they’re happy to serve together, day after day.

Lance Cpl. Edwin A. Vera serves as a gunner for his vehicle. He is the “eyes” of the truck, responsible for spotting suspicious activity before danger presents itself.

Vera relishes the opportunity to support his fellow Marines. Of the work, he said simply, “It feels like I’m actually doing something productive."

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

[BIGLOOK]

Marines doing the jobs Iraqi's won't do..........yet.

Had a phone chat with an old buddy who spent a year in the sandbox, Asked if he thought the country was on the verge of a civil war. He said no. The problems other than the terrorists come from vendettas among the local 'tribes' and every neighborhood is a separate tribe. Obviously this ties up the Iraqi police and hinders their ability to patrol the roads.