Greetings and best wishes to our families and friends,

The BLT 1/2 continues to conduct combat operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq to provide for the security of the citizens and local government of Hit area and to disrupt insurgent activities in the 22 MEU Area of Operations. Operations are going well and the Marines and Sailors continue to demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and tenacity in their performance of duties.

As was mentioned earlier, daily operations see the BLT conducting security patrols in their respective sectors to assist the local government and citizens and to disrupt and destroy insurgents and their resources. With regard to the latter, recently coordinated efforts between the BLT companies and the BLT's Combat Engineer Platoon have netted several caches of insurgent weapons and ammunition in the area. I won't go into the methods and techniques by which the caches are uncovered, but I will tell you that our combat engineers have achieved much success in identifying the enemy's techniques and are now exploiting that knowledge to rid the area of munitions and weapons that can be used against the coalition forces and, as we have found, can be equally dangerous to the citizens of the area. The diligent and courageous actions of our Combat Engineers are some of the many ways in which the risk to our forces and those around us is reduced. CEB is doing great work.

I am also very proud of the courage, vigilance, and savvy our warriors are displaying every day in identifying improvised explosive devices (IED) the enemy emplaces in our AO. These devices are the enemy's feeble attempt to deter our efforts, shake our commitment and undermine the combined efforts of coalition forces and the local government in providing security in the post election period. In talking to the Marines and Sailors of that patrol the streets day and night, I have found their resolve to be "rock steady." On the rare occasion where a device does directly impact one of our patrols, the vehicles and personal protective equipment used every day is standing the test extremely well. Although no amount of material can completely prevent damage or injury from occurring, first rate gear and vehicles coupled with very vigilant warriors has-and the data bares it out-put the odds clearly on our side. Our warriors are getting right back in the saddle after the event to reassure the local citizens and keep the pressure on the enemy.

There is more work to be done and this BLT is continuing to lean forward in planning and conducting operations that will address the security issues in our area of operations. Exactly how long we will be in Iraq remains to be seen. I would draw your attention to the recent update provided by the Commanding Officer, 22 MEU regarding the length of our deployment. As mentioned in the update, there is no indicator that we will be extended on this deployment; our return window remains in early May. Should there be a change to that picture, the most up-to-date and accurate information will be conveyed through our KV Network and 22 MEU and BLT 1/2 official web page.

Once again, I ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Very best regard.

In early January, a section of CAAT vehicles accompanied a platoon from BLT 1/2's A Company on a patrol near Forward Operating Base Hit, and was able to land a one-two punch on the insurgents plaguing Iraq's highways.

"Every once in a while we'll dismount and walk alongside the vehicles," said Twigg as he shouldered his M-4 carbine and began walking along the road's shoulder as his Humvee kept pace. "We do this so we can get a better, more detailed look than if we were driving. By walking we get better (situational awareness)."

No sooner had Twigg explained himself than the column of vehicles and Marines came to a screeching halt. Further ahead, the point element had discovered a suspicious pile of rocks and concrete covering an IED. Immediately establishing a defensive cordon around the site, the patrol leader, 2nd Lt. Davis Gooding Jr., called for Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

"We'll bring EOD up to deal with it," explained the Henrico, Va., native. "Until then we'll maintain a perimeter around the IED to keep ourselves and the locals safe."

While waiting for the EOD technicians to arrive, the Marines in the patrol kept a vigilant eye to the surrounding terrain, and after a few minutes, noticed a pair of men across the nearby Euphrates River acting suspiciously near another road.

"We kept them under observation for a while then determined they were planting another IED," said Gooding.

Using high power scopes and binoculars, the Marines correctly determined the pair's intent and engaged them, killing both just as EOD arrived on the scene.

Working with time-honed expertise, the joint Navy-Marine EOD team destroyed the IED in place. Meanwhile, elements of the patrol jumped aboard a CH-46E Sea Knight from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced), the MEU's aviation combat element, to get a closer look at the bomb placement site across the river.

"There was a shovel and stack of rockets near the men," said Gooding, who examined the scene, "so we were able to stop them just in time."

After the engagement and the IED was destroyed, the patrol continued its mission, knowing that danger lurks around every corner.

"We just had some successes," said Twigg, commenting on the IED discovery and destruction of the insurgent IED team, "but we always have to be on alert and they (the insurgents) have to know we'll be ready for them."