New Home

Your Marines got to their new home, for the time being, yesterday morning around 0400. The Marines left Al Taqaddum around 0100 for a a 1.5 hour convoy to the Iraqi Training Camp (ITC), our new firm base. ITC used to be a training camp for soldiers in Sadam's Army. It's still on Camp Fallujah, it's just the north-western most camp. The facilities have been upgraded by the Marine Corps, so they are the best that can be expected for being over here.

For the next week, Charlie Company will be conducting a relief with our counerpart, Fox Company, 2/2. Fox Company had our Area of Operation (AO) for the past few months, so they'll turn over their knowledge of the land and the people to all the leaders.

I have posted a picture of some of the HMMWVs that escorted us on our convoy early this morning. If you look closesly, you'll see signs on the back that say "Stay Back" in both English and Arabic. This alerts Iraqi drivers not to approach our vehicles for their own safety.

Your Marines are in good spirits and appreciate all your support.

In Kuwait

Your Marines arrived at Camp Victory, Kuwait this morning safe and sount at approximately 0300. Remember, we're 11 hours ahead of the West Coast and 8 hours ahead of the East Coast. (You'll see the current time on the main page.) We'll probably be here about two days before our flights post and we fly up to Tequadam and then, ultimately, to Camp Fallujah.

The trip went very smooth to this point. We flew from March Air Force Base, CA to Bangor, Maine. We had a 1.5 hour lay-over there while the plane fueled up and then headed to Shannon, Ireland. Once again, we had a 1.5 hour lay-over before we flew into Kuwait Air Force Base. From there, we convoyed in buses to Camp Victory where we received briefs and unloaded our packs and gear. By this time, breakfast was ready to open, so the Marines went and ate chow before taking a small nap.

The goal now is to adjust to the drastic time difference. The Marines will be extremely tired during the day and wide awake during the night. The best way to combat this start going to every meal served during the day here, getting in some physical training, and fighting the urge to nap during the day. After about a week, we should be fully adjusted.

In the picture, you'll see the Marines ready to load the plane that we flew from the U.S. to Kuwait.

AT-4

Sgt Wishnia practices shooting an AT-4 Rocket.

Terrain Model

Sgt Wishnia gives his squad an order on a terrain model before the conduct a raid.

Note

If you look at the links on the right side of the page, you'll see a link for our address and for the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines webpage. I do not know how often the Battalion page will be updated, but it should have some good info on it as to what is going on over there.

Please feel free to post comments under the pictures or posts. The Marines of Charlie Company follow the site, so they'll see your comments.

Thrid Squad, First Platoon

Vehicle Search

LCpl Synowiec searches a vehicle during the UWT (Urban Warrior Training) portion of Mojave Viper.

Shot on the Tank

SSgt Miller and members of his platoon take a shot on an M1A1 Abrams Tank.

Debrief

GySgt Smith debriefs First Platoon at the conclusion of a raid.

1st Platoon

Here's a pic of First Platoon up on the Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs).

Room Entering

LCpl Estrada shows Pfcs Partida and Allen the proper way for entering a room.

Building Takedown

Sgt Adamczyk, LCpl Prothro, and the Marines from their squad hold security on a building at Range 210, 29 Palms before making entry and clearing it. R210 is a live-fire MOUT range.

1st Platoon Leaders

The pictures keep trickling in from Mojave Viper, 29 Palms. Here are the 1st Platoon Squad Leaders and Platoon Commander. From left to right, Sgt Hyde, Sgt Wishnia, Sgt Harris, and GySgt Smith (Plt Cmdr).