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22d MEU (SOC) Secures Khas Oruzgan

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 5/17/2004

Story by Capt. Eric Dent

KHAS ORUZGAN, Afghanistan(May 17, 2004 ) -- Villagers in northern Oruzgan Province curiously watched as a 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) task force rolled through the dusty, unpaved streets in heavily armed vehicles and established a base of operations at the recently-attacked district headquarters May 8, 2004.

Minutes after the task force arrived, MEU helicopters landed nearby and unloaded Afghan National Army (ANA) forces and their equipment as Provincial Governor Jan Mohammed watched from nearby.

Marines from the MEU's Maritime Special Purpose Force and Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, along with soldiers from the ANA, established Forward Operating Base New Market to provide security and stability to the Khas Oruzgan area. Taliban forces have historically victimized this remote valley. Recent attacks included the murder of a government official and the attempted assassination of another.

"We are here to provide safety and security in order to facilitate United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and their efforts to register the Afghan people for their upcoming elections," said Capt. Jeff Buffa, the task force commander, during a meeting with the governor. "We look forward to working with the local authorities to let the people live their lives as they wish."

Governor Mohammed praised the efforts of the Marines and ANA forces as they reinforced their defensive perimeter and made liaison with local village elders. He introduced the Marine commander and senior enlisted Marine, Master Sgt. Michael Crews, to the elders and emphasized that the Marines were not interested in changing their way of life or religion. They are there to keep outside influences like the Taliban from interfering with the villagers.

The 22d MEU (SOC) arrived in Afghanistan in late March and since have pushed into southern and central provinces numerous times making their presence known to Taliban and other anti-coalition militia (ACM) forces operating in the region.

It did not take long for the Marines to get into the village and meet more people, as foot patrols moved through Khas Oruzgan the following morning. At first only small children approached, but as the patrol snaked its way through the village more people walked out to meet the Marines.

"Thank you for coming here to our village," said one middle-aged man in broken and hurried English, as he shook Staff Sgt. David McNamee's hand. The man described that because the Marines are there he feels happy for his children and their safety.

"I'm glad you feel safer with us here," stated McNamee. This villager was not the only one who was feeling safer. Nearly each shop and home was now flying the tri-colored Afghan flags, something that just a day prior would be out of the question given the hidden threat of the Taliban and other ACM forces.

The 22d MEU (SOC) consists of its command element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Rein.) and MEU Service Support Group 22. The MEU deployed mid-February and is participating in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.