Tanks provide BLT 1/2 with powerful punch
Marine Corps News
Story Identification #: 2004122461139
Story by Lance Cpl. Zachary R. Frank
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq (Dec. 24, 2004) -- Working alongside every company in the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team, the Marines of Tanks Platoon, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, have maintained a non-stop operational pace since their arrival here in July.
Because of the high tempo, Tanks Platoon has been involved in more than 45 missions ranging from providing security for the base to sealing off towns during cordon-and-search missions.
On several occasions, the mechanized platoon has used its massive firepower to break anti-Iraqi insurgents during firefights in the BLT's area of operations.
"We've been in multiple rocket, mortar, (rocket-propelled grenade), small-arms attacks and a vehicle (borne) improvised explosive device, but no one has been hurt," said 1st Lt Todd P. Garrett, Tanks Platoon commander and a native of Fountain Inn, S.C.
On Nov. 2, the Marines encountered their first major engagement in the south-central town of Haswah. Positioned at the town's main intersection to provide security during the construction of a patrol base the Marines observed the base receiving fire from neighboring rooftops.
"They fired a few RPGs, grenades and small-arms fire at the patrol base," said Lance Cpl. William R. Petro, a tank crewman and a native of Framingham, Mass. "It's the only time we've been attacked with direct fire"
Although they did not fire the tank's main gun, a 120 mm canon, the two tanks did fire from their turrets with their .50-caliber machine guns.
"The patrol base disbursed 10,000 rounds that night," said Petro. "That's the most intense action we've seen."
The platoon's latest engagement took place while they were in support of Bravo Company Dec. 2 in the town of Jurf as Sukhr.
Near the end of an 18-hour search along the town's main road of the city, a mortar round landed next to one of the tanks as it was providing security on a bridge.
The Bravo Company Marines quickly set up an offensive firing point as the damaged tank rolled up alongside. The main gun let loose, blasting a house from which the mortars were fired and immediately suppressed the enemy fire.
"That's the only time we've been able to return fire on someone with the main gun," said Garrett.
When not conducting missions, the four tanks at FOB Iskandariyah are used primarily for establishing cordons, accompanying infantry on patrols and guarding key infrastructures.
Each 68-ton M1-A1 Abrams tank, which is crewed by a team of four Marines, is capable of firing rounds from its main gun up to 4,000 meters. In addition, each tank has a mounted .50-caliber machine gun and an M-240G machine gun. In all, each tank can carry more than 10,000 various rounds.
As with any machine of its size and complexity, a tank requires constant observation and checkups to ensure its proficiency.
"The biggest issue we've had out here is maintenance," said Petro. "We work on the tanks all day."
Half the platoon are on their second deployment with the unit. They know what is expected to keep the machines up and running in the unforgiving environment of Iraq.
"It takes all of them working to keep things moving, and they've done a tremendous job," said Garrett.
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