July 2004, 7th and 12th

During July, we had what we referred to as ‘Wicked Wednesdays.’ The first Wednesday of the month was the 7th. By this time we had shifted from active patrols to static observation posts. The OP at the Agricultural Center 500 meters from Combat Outpost came under heavy fire from automatic weapons and rockets. The squad on post has holding their own as the QRF (Quick Reaction Force) geared up to respond to the contact. QRF rolled out with an additional squad to pull out the Marine who had been wounded in the initial engagement. The QRF was able to flank attackers, dividing their forces and pushing them out of the area, with an estimated 10 killed and wounded, after an hour and a half battle. There were no further Marine casualties in the engagement. Despite the success of the battle, it had given the insurgents and idea that they implemented on the 12th. Yes, I know the 12th was not a Wednesday, but it belongs here. Again, the Ag Center came under attack from automatic weapons and rockets. This time, however, the squad on post was not the target. Their objective was to draw out and attack the QRF as we responded to the contact. At the outset of the engagement, the insurgents had staged a car loaded with explosives near an intersection we would have to pass to get to the Ag Center. Right as the QRF pulled out of the Outpost, another vehicle pulled up and stopped in front of the main gate. The driver jumped out and dashed across the street to another car going the other direction. As we pulled past the first intersection, the individual driving the car moved his vehicle onto the road and detonated the charge. The car blew up 10 feet from the truck in which I was manning the gun. The blast seriously rang my bell. The whole world went silent and even hotter than normal, my knees were unhinged and I started sliding out of the turret into the body of the truck. As my hearing came back and my head cleared, I could hear the CO asking if I was all right. Groggily, I told him I was still there and got back on the M240. The only casualty in the explosion was a Corpsman who took a little piece of shrapnel in his lip, very minor, and the CO’s truck had sustained little real damage but was sitting on three flat tires. As soon as the suicide VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device) had detonated, the insurgents broke off the attack on the Ag Center. The QRF formed up in a defensive formation and stopped all traffic until the second VBIED could be dealt with. Two Marines attempted to blow it up with the Mk-19 (40mm automatic grenade launcher) with no success. While this was going on, a vehicle turned onto the MSR and moved toward our lines and was not slowing. I gave him a warning burst and still, he kept moving toward us. I put the next burst into his hood and he got the message and reversed his course in one hell of a hurry. EOD was contacted to deal with the second VBIED, but they told us that they couldn’t respond for one reason or another. Fortunately, Weapons Company showed up with Javelins. A Javelin Missile is an Anti-Tank Weapon that is capable of destroying a main battle tank. The Javelin Gunner took aim and launched his missile at the parked car. The force of the explosion smashed the car into the ground and sent the hood 50 feet into the air. The reinforced QRF stuck around long enough to survey what was left of the first VBIED and returned to the Outpost, driving past the burning hulk that was the second car. The armor on the new HMMWVs proved to be extremely effective. Not a single Marine was hurt inside the truck, not counting a concussion sustained by yours truly. Regardless, the day had illustrated how vulnerable we had allowed ourselves to become and changed our tactics for the better. More next time.

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