Platoon COC

Cpl Johnson and Sgt Auten stand Command Operations Center (COC) watch for their platoon. This is where the platoons track all their units and operations. The company runs a COC that tracks all of the company units in the battle space, as well.

Stack

Marines stack outside a building, getting ready to make entry.

New Arrival

Congratulations to Tanesha and Sgt Jose Alicea (2nd Plt) for the arrival of their son, Christian Luis. He was born on June 21st @ 11:04, weighing 9lbs 1oz.

Mosque

Mosques come in all shapes and sizes. This one isn't used anymore, so we were able to get pretty close to it. Otherwise, we don't go in any of them.

Creature Comforts

To support current operations in and around our battlespace, the company has moved its Firm Base. You can bet on us staying at this location until we finish out the deployment and turn over with the oncoming units (which will be here next month). Once the move is complete, I will pass our general location for your awareness.

The 'creature comforts' at this Firm Base are much to be desired, but it will only be a short amount of time before we're back enjoying everything that's associated with American soil. Snail mail will still get to us once or twice a week, but there are no phones or internet. With that being said, as always, do not worry if you don't hear from your Marine for long periods of time.

Lastly, I will try and make it back to Camp Fallujah as much as possible to update this site. Please be patient as it won't be updated nearly as much as in the past. Thank you. Hang in there. Charlie Company will be home soon!

Semper Fi.

West Essex Write-Up

Through the combined efforts of the Heritage Middle School’s student body, the Student Council, and several students in the Gifted and Talented (GT) program, two “We Support Our Troops Banners” were created, painted, and decorated for two local residents who are presently serving in Iraq.

GT students Frank Luo and Vivian Gao hand-painted the eagles onto the banners while Cindy Chen and Pooja Eppanapally hand painted the letters. The Student Council organized the banner activity during the four lunch periods. In addition to the banners, HMS “Support Postcards” were written and decorated by the students during Teams’ Week. The post cards contained messages of support, thanks, and well wishes. One banner and a set of post cards was sent to 1st Lt Aaron Attermann, who is in the U S Army. 1st Lt Attermann, an executive officer, is serving with the C/1-8 Infantry Regiment and is stationed in Ishaki, Iraq.

The second set was sent to SGT Michael Wishnia, who is a U.S. Marine. SGT Wishnia, a squad leader, is serving with 1st Plt Charlie Co and is stationed in Fallujah, Iraq. Besides sending the students these pictures, both Attermann and Wishnia wrote letters of thanks to the students for the banners, post cards, and support, but mostly, expressed gratitude for the students taking time to write personal messages to these men and their units. They both stated that “it really means a great deal to here from people back home.”

1st Lt Attermann, attended Heritage Middle School and graduated LHS in 1999. SGT Wishnia attended Mt. Pleasant Middle School and graduated LHS in 2000.

Important Dates!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm sure you're wondering about some specific dates and times so that you can plan from, right? Well, here they are:

• 15-19 August = Flight window for Charlie Company to fly out of Iraq. We should be home within 24 hours of when we take off. More word to come on this, but these dates are a great estimate.
• 25 Aug-25 Sept = Post-deployment leave block. Marines will go on leave starting at approximately 1200 on 25 Aug until 0730 on 25 Sept. Tickets scheduled before 1900 on 25 Aug will not be honored by the company or the battalion should anything unforseen arise.
• 28 Sept = Memorial service for Fallen Marines at Camp Horno, Camp Pendleton.

These dates are the latest word that I can pass to you. I hope this helps some of your planning and considerations to see your Marines.

Semper Fidelis.

Lumber Jacks

The new and improved John Deere chainsaw.

So There I Was...

Sgt Aponte tells it how it is to one of the Soldiers at Abu Ghraib.

Good-To-Go

We are having some problems posting pictures, again...but we appreciate your patience.

Your Marines are doing excellent. Despite the heat that's exceeding 110 daily, Charlie Company is out effecting their new AO in positive ways. The new battle space is very large, but according to the individual platoons, the locals are a lot more friendly and happy to see us than they were in the Abu Ghraib/Khandari area.

If you don't hear from your Marine very often, it's because he's out on 6-8 day patrols. I can tell you that they're in great spirits.

Soon...

Take 5

Marines of Charlie take a little break in a secured house. With the heat, I'm sure you can imagine that these guys need it.

Happy Birthday

Charlie Company would like to wish LCpl Christopher Jackson a Happy Birthday. Right now, he's enjoying it with some fun in the sun.

Red Storm

Would anyone like to go out on patrol?

Friends

Cpl Cantu finds some friends.

MK-19

A look from behind the MK-19 Grenade Launcher. This weapon can "reach out and touch someone" and have some serious effects.