Weapons Platoon is the largest platoon in Apache Company. At full strength, 33 Marines, one Navy Corpsman and 6 Vehicles, we provide the Commanding Officer an Indirect fire asset and also the ability to engage and destroy Main Battle Tanks and other Armored vehicles. The six-man Engineer Squad gives us the capability to construct and breech obstacles. To date, the Weapons platoon has performed a variety of tasks and missions ranging from mess duty at Camp Baharia, to the Engineers blowing up and disposing of Improvised Explosive Devices, we have taken our turn at camp guard, camp police and even found time to shoot a few TOW missiles and drop a few mortar rounds. In my 18 years in the Marine Corps, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with a number of people. I can honestly say that the MEN that make this platoon are some of the finest I have served with.

SSgt Tierney, the Platoon Sergeant, will go more into detail about the TOW section and Cpl Golden will highlight the Engineers. In the weeks to follow expect much more timely updates and more about the individuals that make up this unique Platoon.

Recently we assumed the duty of manning a Traffic Control Point on a Peninsula to the west of Fallujah. The Platoon has occupied a house that acts as the Command Post for the VCP and the Security and Reconnaissance Patrols that we run on a daily basis in our Area of Operation. To date, the Platoon has found and disposed of several IEDs, Unexploded Munitions, recovered several weapons and aided some of the displaced civilians by helping them to retrieve some of there belongings along with food, clothing and blankets from there homes. We have had a squad of seven Iraqi soldiers attached to us, which has been a big help in interacting with the local populace.

Although not the most popular subject to discuss with loved ones, the Platoon played a significant role in the siege of Fallujah, especially to the south. The TOW section was in direct support of the Line Platoons, while the Mortars were detached from the Company and attached to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. From Fire Base Apache, we dropped almost 700 rounds in support of two Recon Companies and our own Apache Company. The phrase as coined by PFC Timothy Mclaren, “You order, we mortar” held true threw out the siege.

I want to thank all of you for allowing me the opportunity to serve with your sons, brothers, husbands and fathers.

I am Staff Sergeant Tierney, the Platoon Sergeant for that thing known as "Weapons Platoon." In addition, to my duties as Platoon Sergeant, I am also the Section Leader for the Anti-Tank Section, and a Vehicle Commander for an LAV-AT.

Weapons Platoon has been doing what only could be considered an excellent job since we have arrived Iraq. A diverse and adaptable bunch, Weapons Platoon is constantly tasked with a wide variety of missions, from Vehicle Checkpoints to Dismounted Patrolling to whatever the CO may call for us to accomplish. There is no task too difficult, too challenging, too unusual or sometimes too boring for Weapons Platoon to accomplish. "Semper Gumby" (Always Flexible) isn't just a phrase tossed about within the platoon; it’s a way of life.

There are three distinct sections within the platoon. First is the Mortar Section. With its 2 LAV-M's and capable crews, they provide an unmatched ability to support the company's mission with indirect fires or whatever may be required. Next is the Anti-Tank Section. At full strength, the section has 4 LAV-AT's and the capability to destroy any armored threat on the battlefield. The third section is our Engineers. These six Marines excel at both building and blowing things up, but mostly they like to blow things up.

So much has happened since we have arrived; it is tough to try to find a starting point. However, I'll begin with an update of what has happened most recently. Additionally, I will to try to give you an idea of how are platoon fits into the big picture.

On 15 November, at about 1545 local time, a 122mm rocket landed approximately 5 meters from my vehicle and exploded. I didn't hear the rocket coming in, and only felt a huge wave of heat and pressure. My left arm caught the majority of the effects as I was standing in the Vehicle Commander's position on my LAV-AT. The rest of my crew received minor injuries, mostly due to luck and the excellent construction of the vehicles, although my Gunner, LCpl Carnahan would later be sent back to the US so he could get better care for his wound. A piece of shrapnel hit his left wrist and the Doctors wanted him to get the best possible care.

I knew I was hit, and sent a radio message to that effect, but most important to me was how the rest of my crew was. When I saw they had all sustained minor injuries I was relieved to say the least, and I allowed HM3 Kloppenborg to start treating my wounds.

I was Medevac'd to Bravo Surgical on Camp MEK and they continued my care. I can tell you first hand that the doctors, nurses and corpsman working there are the very best and care deeply about their patients.

A week later, I was allowed to return to Fort Apache and continue my recovery.

The rest of my crew, LCpl Contreras, and LCpl Johnston were able to return to full duty and are currently taking good care of my vehicle while it is temporarily under "new management".

THE ANTI-TANK SECTION

As you may guess, there are few enemy tanks left in Iraq. After the first Gulf War, and later Operation Iraqi Freedom the vast majority of the Iraqi's tanks were destroyed or captured. In addition, the insurgents favor tactics that do not involve large armored vehicles.

So you may ask, "What does an Anti-Tank section do when there are no tanks?" Well, as it happens, the TOW missiles that we use are not only good at blowing holes straight through over two feet of solid steel on a tank, but can be pretty handy when you need to put a hole in a building. In fact, based upon my experience, they are pretty good for making a doorway on one side of a building and putting a window in the other. Of course, they also put a hurt on whoever is trying to shoot at the Apache Nation from that building.

The Anti-Tank section is seldom used as a section by itself, but is commonly attached to the "Line Platoons" (1st, 2nd and 3rd Platoons each with 4 LAV-25's). The LAV-ATs have powerful day and night optics that enable them to track and identify vehicles and personnel in any weather conditions. Often, a vehicle or pair of vehicles is placed where it can watch a specific area of interest, while the platoon it is attached to will provide the local security. With their optics and firepower, the Anti-Tank Section is a welcome addition to any platoon.

Second Platoon has had a special relationship with the Anti-Tank Section. Circumstances being as they are left them short one vehicle. And each of the LAV-AT crews has spent some time with Second Platoon, not as an attachment or additional force, but as an integral part of the platoon. My vehicle was filling such a role when it was hit.

The Anti Tank Section is:

SSgt Tierney VC of 3 (currently on light duty)
Sgt McNichol Current VC of 3
Cpl Singles Gunner of 3 (Replacing LCpl Carnahan)
LCpl Javier Contreras Driver of 3
LCpl Johnston Loader for 3

Sgt Whitmore VC of 5 (and acting Platoon Sergeant and Section Leader)
LCpl Frederickson Gunner of 5
LCpl Johnson Driver of 5
LCpl Snyder Loader of 5

Sgt Coleman VC of 6
Cpl Reukauf Gunner of 6
LCpl Hoover Driver of 6
LCpl Ellison Loader of 6

LCpl Boswell and LCpl Dunphy eagerly await the arrival of a new LAV-AT to replace the one that was damaged when we first arrived in country. At that time there will be a bit of crew reshuffling. Until then, they are working in various tasks to help the company complete its assigned missions.

THE MORTAR SECTION

GySgt Brower, the Weapons Platoon Commander, leads the Mortar Section. However, Sgt Olsen of Mitchell, South Dakota, handles the day-to-day operation and the coordination of all fires. The Mortar Section rides in two LAV's that resemble some gypsy wagons with all the gear strapped to the outside and a bunch of heads popped up in the main compartment looking around. The Mortar Section has one primary mission "To provide accurate and timely indirect fires." In this they excel. To accomplish this mission, the section is again broken in to four different elements; the FDC (Fire Direction Center) consists of 3 Marines. Sgt Olson, LCpl “Big” Webb, and PFC Mclaren. The Forward Observers call the target information to PFC Mclaren, he in turn relays it to Sgt Olsen and LCpl Webb who calculate the data, confirm the data, then pass it to the 2nd element, that being the Gun Line. The Gun Line consists of two 81mm Mortar tubes mounted in the LAVs. Gun one is manned by LCpl Adam “the best mortar gunner in the Corps” Wagner, and his Assistant Gunner LCpl Henderson. Gun one is also known as the adjust gun, meaning that any missions where the rounds must be adjusted on to target will be shot by this gun. The Ammo Man for Gun 1 is PFC Vales. His duties include laying the gun on its Direction of fire, ensuring the correct nature of ammo is selected, ensuring that the ammunition count and re-supply is done. It is also the responsibility of Gun 1 to ensure that Gun 2, manned by LCpl Rumbley, his A-Gunner, LCpl Renfro, along with Ammo Man, PFC “Little” Webb. Upon the completion of each Fire Mission, element 3, headed up by LCpl Madden and assisted by LCpl Harkness takes over. It is there duty to ensure that each Ammo Man is provided with the type and number of rounds to fire another mission. At times this can be a difficult task as some missions role from one target to another. They must also advise the Section Leader of Ammo on hand and anticipate re-supply. The 4th element consists of the Gunny who ensures the sections gets into the best location for firing, drinks lots of coffee, gets in Sgt Oslons way and we are still trying to figure out what he does after that. Additionally, the Mortar section must be prepared to conduct dismounted operations to include MOUT, Military Operations on Urban Terrain, vehicle and personnel checkpoints and any other tasks that may be directed by the Commanding Officer.

Most recently the Mortar Section fired numerous fire missions in support of operations in and around the city of Fallujah during the taking of the city.

The Mortar Section is:

GySgt Brower, Platoon Commander and VC of 1
PFC McLaren, driver for 1 and Radio Operator
LCpl Webb, FDC Chief (Fire Direction Center) on 1
LCpl Wagner, Gunner for 1
LCpl Henderson, Assistant Gunner for 1
PFC Vales, Ammo Man for 1

Sgt Olsen, FDC and VC for 2
LCpl Madden, driver for 2 and Ammo NCO
LCpl Rumbley, Gunner for 2
LCpl Renfro, Assistant Gunner for 2
PFC Webb, Ammo Man for 2
LCpl Harkenss, The platoon mechanic, and mortar guy in training on 2 and Assistant Ammo NCO

THE ENGINEERS

The six engineers who make up the Engineer Section at the very least have a bit of an identity problem. They belong to Weapons Platoon, work in pairs for the Line Platoons, and when they all work together they can be attached to HQ Platoon. Unlike the rest of the Marines in the company, they do not necessarily have a vehicle to call their own and it is usually only after a mission is announced that they can find out where they are riding. By contrast it is rare for the other Marines in the company to shift about on vehicles mission to mission. However, "Engineers Can Do" and "Semper Gumby" are the mottos of this bunch.

The engineers are led by Cpl Golden, and are all originally from 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, which is also based on Camp Lejeune. The engineers provide a unique capability to the company. With unmatched demolitions skills, there is nothing to big for them to blow up. Mostly, their demolitions expertise is called upon to destroy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and weapons or ammo caches. Recently, however, the engineers were asked to take down 4 trees to clear a lane of observation on a target area and within 30 minutes they had the four trees down in a big cloud of smoke.

The engineers aren't only about blowing stuff up though. Whether it is trying to determine the trafficabilty of a route or the capacity of a bridge, they assist in our reconnaissance operations. The engineers are also skilled with a hammer and a saw and are quite adept at construction. Many of the projects around the camp have been built by, or been influenced or assisted by our engineers.

The Engineer Section is:

Cpl Elrod and Cpl Bauer who work with 1st Platoon

Cpl Golden and LCpl Ponce who work with 2nd Platoon

Cpl Talamantes and Cpl Cardona who work with 3rd Platoon

The newest member of the Platoon is our Navy Corpsman, HN “Doc” Bailey. His duties include; daily sick call for the Platoon, including the Iraqi soldiers, daily hygiene inspections for the Command Post and surrounding areas, and if needed too, but hopefully not, treat battle field casualties and arrange for medivac if needed. Doc will not hesitate to fill a sand bag or assist in searching cars on the VCP. He is big asset to the Platoon.