Bravo Company

2006-06-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

Sgt Welch and Howard was again at the court yard getting the word

Miller promoted to LCpl to join the rest of us LCpl's Dewey, Dicken and Helmick 1st Plt team of warriors

LCpl Payne just making sure the water bladder is full for patrolling

Doc Trumble

Cpl Weaver hello sweetheart do you hear me now, Oh I am on the radio not the phone.

2006-06-19T23:48:00.000-07:00

COMPANY B

1ST BATTALION, 1ST MARINES

JUNE 2006, NEWSLETTER

Company B Friends and Family,

Regretfully, we lost two more Marines and one of our interpreters in an IED attack along one of the roads in Al Karmah on 23 May. Lcpl Robert Posivio, Pfc Steven Freund, and Ibrahiem Muwafek Ibrahiem (David) were killed doing their duty and with a happy heart. All three were among friends and brothers in arms when they were taken from us. A memorial service was held for them at the MEF chapel on Camp Fallujah; a video was made of the service and sent to each family. These losses, along with the loss of Lance Corporals Martini and Perez are still difficult for many of the Marines in the company but they are dealing with them well. I am extremely proud of the company and their continued professionalism despite extremely difficult circumstances. Our interpreter, known as David was from Basra, a large city at the mouth of the Tigris River in south Iraq. He served with us for four weeks before being killed. He worked as an interpreter with all the platoons in the company and was well liked. Many of the Marines I wrote about in the last newsletter have returned to duty. Those who returned to the United States for treatment are all doing well. They are all in good condition and were released in the past weeks to go on convalescent leave. I spoke with all of them and they look forward to being on the parade deck to greet the company when it returns.

Bravo Company’s mission still remains training and mentoring the Iraqi Security Forces to enable them to assume battlespace. The Marines in the company did less combined work with the Iraqi Army this month, but that increase in the last two months of the deployment. All the Marines received three days of reset training back at Camp Fallujah; of the three days, two were rest days and one was filled with classes and live-firing on one of the ranges here. They will have another reset period in June. That period will give them another well-deserved break.

Life in Iraq continues to get hotter. The rain subsided and we now experience highs of 120 and lows of 80. Marines are acclimatized to the heat but the weather takes its toll. The IP station has a refrigerator unit now and we keep it stocked with ice. The platoons are able to stock up on this precious commodity when they return to resupply. All the rooms at the IP Station have A/C units in them now, but we fight a continuing battle to keep them running. The company still BBQs a couple of times a month. The Police Station has a satellite phone that is available for all the Marines to use when they are here. Mail continues to be the greatest source of enjoyment here in Iraq. Please continue to send letters and packages. The company also receives care packages from many groups in the United States. On 29 May, 15 Marines in the company were able to attend a concert at Camp Fallujah by country singer and songwriter Tobi Keith.

The Marines were given the post-deployment leave dates, 1900 on 25 August to 0700 on 25 September. I am encouraging them to make plans now. I hope to have all leave requests signed and approved prior to our return to the United States. When the battalion returns the Marines will receive a day or two off to be with family, but they will be required to return to work after that in order to get situated in the baracks and get accountability of all gear before going on leave.

As the end of the deployment grows closer, I ask that you continue your outstanding support from the home front. It means everything to the Marines in the company. We all look forward to seeing you all when we return.

Semper Fidelis,

Captain Wilson M. Hopkins III, USMC

2006-05-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

SSgt Gomez waiting to go out on patrol, geared up and ready.

PFC Flynn, only a few more months left.

2006-05-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

1st Platoon

1st Platoon on Patrol out in their AO.

A Marine in 1st Platoon, Bravo Co. exhibiting his weapon of choice.

2006-05-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

1st Squad, 2nd Platoon getting together for a group shot.

Cpl. Lain and LCpl Weaver trying to decide which way to go.

2006-05-07T04:40:00.000-07:00

LCPL Schmoekel getting ready to role down the road behind the big gun

PFC Lee, LCPL Elliot, PFC Snyder

2006-05-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

COMPANY B

1ST BATTALION, 1ST MARINES

MAY 2006, NEWSLETTER

Company B Friends and Family,

April was long month with many successes as well as tough times. Regretfully, we lost our first Marines, Lcpl Philip Martini and Lcpl Stephen Perez. They were killed doing their duty and with a happy heart. Lcpl Martini was killed as he was moving with his squad to reinforce the company on 8 April while the city of Karmah was under siege by 40-50 insurgents. Lcpl Perez was killed providing security for the company’s mobile maneuver unit on 13 April when it stopped at an outpost under construction in the city of Sobeihat. Lcpl Martini and Lcpl Perez were among friends and brothers in arms when they were taken from us. A memorial service was held for each at the Camp Fallujah MEF chapel; a video was made of the respective services and sent to each family. These two losses were difficult for many of the Marines in the company but they are dealing with them well and are in fact providing a renewed energy to accomplish our mission here and return home. The company also sustained a number of wounded Marines this month as well; most on April 13 in a mortar attack. Many of the wounded Marines have returned to duty and a few more will return to duty in this month. Unfortunately, some of the Marines will not return to duty immediately and are currently being treated in the United States. They are receiving the best care the United States has to offer. Their families are with them. The USMC is billeting them in the Navy Lodge 5 minutes from the hospital. The Marines in the company are able to call them at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Balboa Naval Hospital, and Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital. I spoke to each of them on the phone or before they left Iraq and they are doing well and are in very good spirits. Their greatest hope is to be well enough to be on the parade deck when the company returns to Camp Pendleton in August.

Bravo Company was engaged in a large battle in the city of Karmah against 40 – 50 insurgents who attacked an Iraqi Army outpost and then attempted to attack the Iraqi Police station where Bravo Company is headquartered. The battle raged in the streets of Karmah for nearly four hours. When it was complete, 18 insurgents were eliminated. That evening, following the day’s fighting, the company cordoned off the city and search every house within the city limits. This search was called OPERATION HICKORY. Bravo Company had a lot of reinforcements to assist in the search: tank platoon, AAV platoon, SEAL platoon, 2 Iraqi Army platoons, and 2 mobile platoons from Weapons Company 1/1. It took the company nearly 15 hours to search the city. We detained 6 insurgents who participated in the attack. Bravo Company’s engagement in Karmah was largest in this area of Iraq since the Battle of Fallujah in November and December 2004. Every marine in the company participated in the Battle of Karmah and acted bravely, I am very proud of them. A General Officer later commented that the Marines of Bravo Company are now a legendary part of Marine Corps history in Iraq. A little more than a week later, Bravo Company conducted a raid just south of the police station near the Food for Oil Complex in the city of Sobeihat. During this raid we captured an insurgent responsible for planning the attack in Karmah the week prior and for all IED activity in the vicinity of Karmah since August 2005. First and Second Platoons participated in this raid. The company finished construction on the outpost in Sobeihat this month and turned it over to the Iraqi Army on 26 April. This is a major success in the company’s AO. It allowed Bravo Company to finish its turnover of battlespace to the Iraqi Army. Our mission still remains training and mentoring the Iraqi Security Forces to enable them to assume battlespace.

Life in Iraq continues to get hotter. We saw quite a bit of rain this month, compared to the previous month. The temperatures continue to rise and are now into the low 100’s. Your Marines are acclimatized to the heat. All the rooms at the IP Station have A/C units in them now. We fight to keep them all working at one time. Bravo Company was able to acquire a BBQ grill and we had one BBQ already. Not every Marine was able to participate in it because their platoon was out, but we plan to have more in the future to give everyone a chance to enjoy. There is now a shower trailer at the IP Station. The Platoons continue to rotate through the IP Station so they all get a chance to enjoy these luxuries a couple times a month. The spirits are high and the Marines are motivated to complete their mission here and return home.

Semper Fidelis,

Captain Wilson M. Hopkins III, USMC

2006-04-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

The end of the ceremony in which LCpl Hernandez wsa awarded his purple heart as marines in his platoon looked on

Capt Hokins and 1stSgt Petersen presents LCpl Hernandez Purple heart at IP Station in Al Karmah April 2006

2006-04-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Captain Hopkins and 1stSgt Petersen give oath of office to GySgt Groves at ITC Fallujah 1 April 2006

Captain Hopkins and 1stSgt Petersen promote GySgt Groves at ITC Fallujah April 2006

2006-04-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

Lt. Baker and GySgt Groves discuss the upcoming movement while their marines look on.

Although they may not look like your typical mail service, these marines are always willing to lend a helping hand when it comes to the delivery of mail.

2006-04-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Although they may not look like your normal mail delievery service, the marines of Bravo company waste no time in helping out when mail comes in.

Lt. Baker and GySgt Groves discuss the upcoming movement while their marines look on.

2006-04-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

SSgt Groves and GySgt Oxner converse before spending some quality time with the marines back in Camp Fallujah.

LCpl Bushell demonstrates proper form on his M203.

2006-04-03T02:54:00.000-07:00

Weapons cache found by 2nd Platoon 3rd Squad on March 26th, 2006.

Hi Honey and Kids!!! I miss you dearly. I'll be home soon.
~SSgt Brueggeman~

2006-04-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

GySgt Oxner being friendly with the locals

HM3 Levin applying first aid to Iraqi man for second degree burns

2006-04-02T23:47:00.000-07:00

COMPANY B
1ST BATTALION, 1ST MARINES
APRIL 2006, NEWSLETTER

Company B Friends and Family,
Bravo Company’s area of operations expanded this month and as a result so did the operational tempo. Your Marines received a break from their hectic work schedule on 14 March for 4 days when each platoon rotated back to the Iranian Training Center (ITC) at Camp Fallujah where the battalion is headquartered. While they were there they had an opportunity to use the internet, call home, eat at the chow hall, shower a couple times a day, visit the exchange, and catch up on sleep. They were all happy to receive the break, but very eager to return to the AO and continue their mission. The weather was kind to us this month and operations were not affected. The temperatures went as high as 89 and as low as 45 this month. We only saw two days of rain this.
Conditions at the police station in Karmah are changing too. The forward operating base was hardened to make it a more secure location. Additionally, the quality of life is on the rise inside the outpost. The Marines built a gym with weights and a pull-up bar in the courtyard, and the battalion provided a large screen TV and DVD player for the lounge area. Marines at the IP station are now able to enjoy movies when they are not out patrolling or operating in the AO. We still receive two hot meals a week, but the microwaves here are in constant use cooking the many tasty food supplies that you send. Mail call is a pretty frequent event, 3 times a week normally. The Marines are receiving the Moto Mail, letters and packages the you send. Some days we have more mail at the police station then we have room to put it; keep it coming, we’ll find space. The Iridium satellite telephone is still available for the Marines to use at any time. They are taking full advantage of it and calling home frequently.
The Marines continue to conduct counter-insurgency operations within the company AO. They discovered seven IEDs before they could be detonated, detained 6 insurgents, conducted over 35 combined patrols with the Iraqi Army, and participated in three battalion operations. Our focus remains the same, enable the Iraqi Security Forces to assume independent control of the city of Karmah and the outlying areas that surround the city. They are an eager and competent force and
I included new pictures from the past month. More pictures come in each time platoons return from the AO. I make it back to ITC once every couple of weeks; I will make sure that as many new pictures as possible make it onto the website.
The days continue to pass quickly here because we are so busy, and moral continues to be very high. The temperatures will begin to rise very soon and life will be quite different. The Marines are ready for this change and will adapt and overcome this adversity as they do with everything else.
GOD BLESS the USA and Semper Fidelis,
Captain Wilson M. Hopkins III, USMC

2006-03-28T01:12:00.000-08:00

4TH PLATOON

Just Another Day at the Office: Pfc Devoll

Team motivators: Cpl Mentzer, Pfc Devoll, Pfc West

2006-03-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

1st Platoon

Sgt Miller, Squad Leader for 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team - 5, 1st Marine Division, hands out soccer balls to Iraqi children while on patrol in the city of Karma, Iraq on 4 March 206. 1st Marine Division and MNF-W conducts counter-insurgency operations with Iraqi Security Forces to isolate and neutralize Anti-Iraqi Forces, to support the continued development of Iraqi Security Forces, and to support Iraqi reconstruction and democratic elections in order to create a secure government that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance.

Sgt Miller, Squad Leader for 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team - 5, 1st Marine Division, instructs Marines in his squad what the route of the patrol in the city of Karma, Iraq on 4 March 2006.

2006-03-01T04:18:00.000-08:00

This site is dedicated to the Marines of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.

Company B Friends and Family,

Bravo Company is currently working in an area approximately 10 km northeast of the city of Al Fallujah in the town of Al Karmah. We work in an area approximately 100 sq km. Our mission is conducting combined patrols with the Iraqi Army so that they may assume responsibility for the areas Bravo Company currently owns. The Iraqi Army is extremely professional and hard working. They are eager to learn and enjoy working with the Marines. Your Marines are training the future of Iraq and doing an outstanding job.

We live in the police station in Al Karmah. It is the center of a lot of activity. There are approximately 35 Iraqi Policemen that live here with us. The Marines stand guard posts with them and have an opportunity to interact with them on a daily basis. This interaction consists of eating the local food, teaching English and learning Arabic. While at the police station, the Marines receive mail, are able to watch satellite TV and movies, work out in our primitive gym, and catch up on sleep. These activities vary as operation increase or decrease in intensity. Receiving mail is the best part of every week and the Marines look forward getting anything you send to them. We do not have Email or telephones where we are, but we do have a satellite telephone. The Marines are able to use it whenever they want while at the police station. Your Marines live in the police station for 3-5 days at a time before their platoon departs and establishes a platoon patrol base. These patrol bases are set up throughout the company’s area of responsibility and last up to 8-10 days. During this time, the Marines conduct vehicle check points, knock and talk patrols to meet the people of the area they are working in, and counter-IED sweeps of the roads to keep them clear. They are doing an excellent job and I am extremely proud of them. The hours are long but the days seem to fly by. Each platoon will receive 4 days of rest and training during the month of March. They will be able to get on the internet, go to the exchange, eat at the chow hall, sleep, and shower.

I will update this message once to twice a month; pictures and notes from your Marines will be included. If there is information or specific pictures you would like to see please let me know and I will include them.

The days seem to pass quickly here because we are so busy. There isn’t a lot of idle time. Moral is great and the Marines are making a difference to the people of Al Karmah and the surrounding areas. As the commanding officer of Bravo Company, I cannot express enough gratitude to all the families and friends that send their support to us. Your Marines are the best our nation has to offer and I am reminded of that everyday, it is my pleasure to serve with them.

GOD BLESS the USA and Semper Fidelis,

Captain Wilson M. Hopkins III, USMC