Hawaii Marines construct improved security for IP station

080329-RCT1-DEBREE-CONSTRUCT-004low

SITCHER, Iraq (March 29, 2008) – The sun suspended high in the sky, beating down on all who did not seek shelter from its rays. But the mid-day heat did not stop Iraqi workers and the Marines of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1.

The Hawaii Marines, in partnership with Iraqi Police and Iraqi civilian workers, continued with a two week project March 29, to build up security around the IP station here.

The IP station is being fortified so that the Marines can conduct joint operations and work even closer with their Iraqi counterparts, said 2nd Lt. Husein Yaghnam, platoon commander, second platoon, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines.

“We are going to move out to the IP station in order to work closer with the Iraqis,” Yaghnam, a 24-year-old native of Toledo, Ohio, said. “We should be done with the construction by the end of the week and move there shortly after.”

With the word construction, most people associated with the Marines Corps will think that combat engineers are doing the work, but not in this case, said Yaghnam.

080329-RCT1-DEBREE-CONSTRUCT-001low

“No engineers were here to help us do the construction around the IP station,” he said. “It was just Iraqi workers and our grunts doing all the work. We worked on everything; building the HESCOS, placing the razor wire, and guard posts, we did it all.”

Within a two-week period, the Marines were able to flatten the ground, build up a guard post, and build the wall about half way around the station, said Sgt. Dane Y. Kincaid, section leader, second platoon, Co. G, 2nd Bn., 3rd Marines.

“Once we are all done we’re going to be occupying it, so we have to make sure it is good,” said the 25-year-old native of Makawao, Maui, Hawaii. “I’m looking forward to us going out there because it takes up a lot of our time driving out there everyday. It takes about an hour to drive out there and an hour to drive back.”

The Marines are also anticipating working with the Iraqi Police on a daily basis.

“We’ve built a good relationship with them (the IP),” Kincaid said. “They’ve been willing to do their job and work hard to keep peace in their area. They are good at their job and believe in what they are doing.”

Yaghnam said that the Iraqis play a key role in providing security for the area.

080329-RCT1-DEBREE-CONSTRUCT-002low

“We found our joint partnership beneficial in counter insurgency warfare,” he said. “I look forward to working with them on a daily basis.”

The Island Warriors are working closely with the Iraqi Security Forces during their seven-month deployment to help bring security to the region.