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Marines continue operations in Southern Helmand

5/9/2008
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Capt. Kelly Frushour

PAO
24th MEU
unit 78355
FPO AE 09510-3855

314-351-1014

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — At approximately 11:30 p.m. on 28 Apr, Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, NATO - International Security Assistance Force, launched operations in Garmsir District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.</SPAN>
Marines continue to clear areas in the Garmsir District. Through the capture of a series of identified enemy strong points and defensive positions south of Task Force Helmand forward operating bases, Marines continue to open the previously denied routes through Garmsir District to the economically vital Helmand green zone.
The insurgents have demonstrated a persistent and concerted effort to resist the advancement of troops and to hold ground in Garmsir. The Marines have consistently encountered disorganized resistance in the form of small arms, indirect fire, and rocket propelled grenades.
Number of Marines involved:
All of the 2,400 Marines of the 24th MEU are involved in the operation but only a portion are forward deployed to Helmand Province.
Significant Events: The Marines have discovered 9 caches. The caches contained variations of mines, rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and IED making materials.
Marines have identified and control detonated 4 IEDs.
The Marines have discovered and destroyed several fortified enemy positions.
On two occasions, Afghan citizens brought children to the Marines for medical treatment. The Marines provided medical care for and evacuated two children: one was an 11 year-old boy with abdominal wounds which his father said was inflicted by insurgents and one was a child with third degree burns from boiling water.
Leading up to operations in Garmsir, the Marines successfully ran over 20 convoys up to distances of 100 miles. This was done across a land riddled with mines, IEDs and hostile terrain.
Statement from the 24 MEU commander, Col Peter Petronzio:
“The insurgents are finding that every time they engage with the Marines, they lose. The Marines are gaining ground every day and secure more of the routes through the district. The support we have received from our allied partners has contributed to our many successes thus far.”
Marines are here to secure routes through the district to enable the extension of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
The 2,400-strong Marine unit is conducting operations in support of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. The MEU is a Theater Task Force, a position which allows the commander of ISAF to rapidly deploy the MEU wherever it’s needed to conduct full-spectrum operations from humanitarian assistance missions to combat operations.

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