I hope this update finds all of you well, and having enjoyed a happy Easter. April is here, which means we're ticking off the months until we return home! Your Marines and Sailors are continuing to do a fantastic job in the Al Qaim region, including Al Asad and Camp Gannon .

The battalion task force has been conducting many operations over the past month. Kilo and Weapons companies succeeded in capturing several important enemy leaders in the area, and have continued to discover mines and IEDs that threaten our movement. The threat of enemy mortar fire continues, but we are getting quicker at firing back at him to destroy his weapons and crews. The work of H&S Company in supporting the task force in all camps, and running convoys back and forth to Camp Gannon is crucial to our success. The Security Platoon from H&S has also been as busy as any platoon in the battalion.

In Camp Gannon , India company has also pushed out into the city near their base and conducted operations that captured and killed enemy personnel that have been harassing them. The security and protection of Camp Gannon is very good, so even though they are fired at by the enemy, most times that is nothing but an inconvenience to the men.

Lima Company is doing a fantastic job around Al Asad, conducting security missions very similar to the rest of the battalion out west. They have done patrols, vehicle check points, and are certainly doing a critical mission. The Battalion Commander and Sergeant Major they are currently attached to have talked to me and SgtMaj Mennig, and they rave over the professionalism of your Marines and Sailors. Lt. Wingate's 3d Platoon, Lima , is continuing a fabulous job as the Regimental Combat Team-2 Quick Reaction Force, involved in quickly springing onto insurgents when they are detected in the area. They were mentioned specifically in an article on www.usmc.mil , the Marine Corps Website. Lima Marines and Sailors are getting their mail, but again I encourage you to use this LAAD Battalion (the unit they are currently attached to) address to make sure it goes straight to them.

Rank and Name
Lima Company 2d LAAD Det-A
Unit 78087
FPO AE 09502-8087

As you can tell, everyone in the Task Force is involved in sharing the dangers here, and everyone is a vital member of the team. I can't accomplish my mission without the hard work of all your husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers. I am exceptionally proud of the job they are doing here, and you should be as well.

We have continued to get large deliveries of mail, and we appreciate it very much. I think we've had great success across the board with keeping in touch via the Segovia internet and phones, but it is always special to receive the hand written cards and letters, and the boxes with treats from home are a great morale booster and make many days here seem like Christmas again! I would also like to thank the numerous churches and support groups who have “adopted� men in 3/2 for letters and care packages, and others who just send packages in support of the entire Task Force. The encouragement we get from knowing we have the support of our families, but also so many of the American people, is tremendous.

There continue to be stories written and posted about your men in 3/2. Most appear on the Marine Corps website, at www.usmc.mil . But, about ten days ago, we had a CNN crew that did several live interviews from Camp Gannon , and two stories about 3/2 Marines and Sailors in western Iraq . We're also getting a Chicago Tribune reporter coming to visit us soon, so keep watching the news to see information about your warriors in action.

Unfortunately, since the last time I wrote to you, we've also suffered a few casualties, and while everyone here understands the nature of combat means we will have them, that knowledge doesn't make it any easier when we lose comrades or see them hurt. We held a great memorial service on 22 March in honor of our first Marine KIA, LCpl Kevin Smith, Security Platoon, H&S Company. He is a hero, and we'll miss him.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.