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CJTF-HOA armorers play vital role in war against terrorism

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 20033772726
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti(March 7, 2003) -- Marine Reserve Sgt. Rusty R. Parker and Cpl. Alex. P. Bradbury are assigned as armorers for the Command Logistics Element, Marine Central Command in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa whose mission is to assist in the war against terrorism.

These two Marines, who a few months ago had never even heard of Djibouti, play a vital role in this mission, according to Bradbury.

"When it comes down to it, we're going to fight with weapons," said 23-year-old Bradbury, of Allen, Texas. "We make sure the weapons are ready to go should they ever be needed."

As armorers, Parker, the armory chief, said, "We ensure the accountability of all the weapons and perform proper maintenance like repairing broken parts and making sure they are cleaned regularly."

Every morning, the oncoming armor completes a count to make certain all of the weapons are accounted for. The weapons kept in the armory include M9 pistols, M16A2 rifles, M4 rifles and M203 grenade launchers among others.

Parker, a native of Jasper, Tenn., added, "After we do the count, then we issue out weapons, do maintenance, paperwork and anything else that needs to be done."

Although mobilization is always a possibility for reserve units, for Parker and Bradbury, the news of this deployment came as a shock. Both were busy with civilian jobs.

Parker, a police officer in his hometown, recalled the day he received word from his company gunnery sergeant, "The company gunny called about a week before we were to leave. It was hectic trying to get my personal stuff taken care of and trying to get my (military) paperwork completed."

Bradbury's story is similar. As a computer and phone support technician for an insurance company, his day-to-day job isn't supposed to involve any type of weapons. From the time Bradbury received the call to report for duty, he had about a week to get everything in order.

He said, "Now that we're here it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The main thing I've had to deal with out here is the heat."

Regardless of minor irritations, these Marines are doing their part in the war against terrorism.