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Marines from Fighting Fifth return to Iraq

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 1/16/2004

Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert

CAMP HANSEN - -- More than 800 Marines and Sailors from 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment arrived on Okinawa in mid-December to serve as one of the Unit Deployment Program battalions within 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division only to receive new orders to Iraq to support operations currently taking place there.

First Battalion, Fifth Marines will remain on Okinawa for a few weeks before heading to the Middle East, along with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, to assist in Iraq security and stability operations, commonly referred to as Operation Iraqi Freedom II, according to Lt. Col. Brennan T. Byrne, commanding officer.

When the battalion came to Okinawa we were originally designated to be the battalion landing team for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit but the situation in Iraq required additional Marine units, Byrne said. This battalion will be going to OIF II as part of 1st Marine Division forces.

After serving as one of the lead ground combat elements during OIF, the battalion prepared itself for serving as the BLT for the MEU. Since receiving the word of their re-deployment back to Iraq en route to Okinawa, they have quickly turned their focus to the upcoming mission. The re-deployment to Iraq on short notice shows the flexibility of the battalion, Byrne added. The reason for the quick move is to keep units in Iraq who are familiar with the environment.

I believe that 1st MarDiv is a very tight team. I think that our battalion is going back because the Division wants to fight with units that have been in combat with them, Byrne said. I think 1/5 fought very well in the war and the general has confidence that both us and 3/4 will rise to this challenge again and do exceptionally well in that environment.

The battalion will leave Okinawa for Iraq in mid-February. One of the main purposes for stopping on Okinawa is to draw gear and focus on the security and stability mission before pushing onward.

Byrne also added that the battalion is prepared to be in Iraq until September. Looking forward to the challenge in front of them, Marines within the battalion are excited to get the opportunity once again.

I think it's a good thing for us to go back to Iraq, it's a really good opportunity for the junior Marines who were not with us the first time, said Cpl. Brandon M. Bass, rifleman for Company C.

The battalion currently has 60 percent of its OIF veterans still in its ranks, but every Marine in the battalion is excited to take part in what they consider to be the current highlight of military affairs.

The morale is high and all are excited, Byrne concluded. Whenever I talk to the individual companies I can feel the electricity and intensity that Marines get when they know they're going somewhere to do real-world stuff. The decision did come as a surprise, but I think each of us was secretly hoping for it.