Rakkasans continue progress with Marne Courageous

By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The Rakkasans are making significant progress in the follow-on phases of Operation Marne Courageous which kicked off in mid-November.
Now well into the mission, multiple weapons and explosives caches have been recovered, insurgent activity has been thwarted and the operation is progressing smoothly. The construction of Patrol Base Kemple is ahead of schedule and all force-protection measures have been emplaced.
“The Rakkasans’ mission to establish a footprint just west of the Euphrates proved to be a success and the quintessential model of counter-insurgency operations as defined in Field Manual 3-24,” said Col. Dominic J. Caraccilo, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
“The stars definitely lined up for us on this mission,” said Maj. David Jones, operations officer for the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT). “We conducted the largest air assault since Operation Swarmer without incident and delivered a decisive blow to al-Qaeda.
“If there is any enemy that still remains in Owesat, they no longer have free reign and are incapable of coordinating significant attacks,” Jones said.
Marne Courageous is aimed at securing the population of Owesat and Al Betra, former insurgent sanctuaries, by establishing a permanent presence on the west side of the Euphrates River.
The operation officially began Nov.16 with the bombing of an island that was a suspected insurgent safehaven and an air assault into Owesat and Al Betra. Along with elements of the Iraqi Army, Soldiers knocked on hundreds of doors in an attempt to identify anti-coalition forces and al-Qaeda and seek information that might lead to the whereabouts of Spc. Alex Jiminez and Pvt. Byron Fouty from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), who went missing May 12.
“Our objective was to talk to each Owetian about (the missing) Soldiers, search every structure and field, establish Patrol Base Kemple, set the conditions for Concerned Local Citizens involvement in Owesat, and develop an assessment of the needs of the Owetians,” said Maj. Will Beck, executive officer for 3-187th Inf. Regt.
Concerned Local Citizens have begun to establish checkpoints in the area, thereby denying insurgents freedom of movement.
“The CLCs have proven themselves to be a proven force capable of guarding key infrastructure and maintaining fixed positions controlling access,” said Maj. Curtis Crum, operations officer for 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT). “CLCs become target groups for economic opportunities, Iraqi Security Force recruitment and future job-placement programs.”
As a means to continue receiving the support of the people of Owesat, Company A, 3-187th Inf. Regt. hosted a veterinary operation and coordinated medical engagement. The veterinary operation was held Nov. 29 in Owesat and Nov. 30 in North Qarghuli Village to provide veterinary care for the livestock.
A team of four medical personnel saw nearly 200 residents at a CME Dec. 2 with issues such as chronic illnesses, upper-respiratory infections, trauma from previous war wounds, and even cerebral palsy.
“We want to let the local population know we care and that we want to help them,” said Dr. (Lt. Col.) Grant Foster, battalion surgeon for the 3-187th Inf. Regt.