Marines improved safety in Ramadi

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SNAKE PIT, Iraq (Feb. 16, 2005) -- Incoming mortars, frequent firefights and improvised explosive devices have kept Ramadi citizens from having a peaceful home. However, the Marines of Company E continue to change that.

Over the past six months, the Marines and Sailors of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, have witnessed the gradual evolution of the town of Ramadi. Once a city where insurgents ran rampant, Ramadi is now a place where a successful and safe future is visible on the horizon.

"This place is better off now than it was six months ago,” said Capt. Eric J. Dougherty, commanding officer, Company E, 2/5. "Only a few months ago, shops were closed and kids didn't go to school but now, that has all changed.”

With the addition of an Army infantry unit to the city of Ramadi, the Marines and Sailors of 2/5 have had more time to concentrate on locating and dismantling the insurgent threat.

"When we got here, we were tasked out all over the place. Then, the army took over one of the camps in the city. That was the biggest change for the better," said Dougherty. "We were not a constant presence in the city, but with a few changes, we went from staying alive to hunting the terrorists."

"Before, we had to run convoy's through the city every day to give logistical support to our Marines but the army has different suppliers that come from a different direction."
Additionally, with less camps and outposts to guard, the Marines got more time on the streets.

"The Marines know every street in our part of the city,” said Dougherty. “They walk them every day. We are hunting down the enemies, and at the same time, we are shaking hands and making more progress with the good people of Ramadi."

During Operation Al Fajr, the town of Ramadi was the recipient of increased terrorist activity and presented a defining moment for Ramadi’s citizens to fight the terrorism.

"November was a big turning point for us,” said Dougherty. “The Iraqis were fed up and started giving us tips, some of which turned out to be very accurate.”

The vigilance of Ramadi’s residents is not the only factor attributed to the city’s improvement, additionally, the Marines are always visible.

“We are a constant presence in the city,” said Dougherty. “Every day, our Marines go on patrol and have near daily contact with the same people. Every day, we are hunting down the bad guys to make this place safer.”

While relations between the Iraqis and the military are not perfect, they have improved greatly.

“While they're not all willing to spill their guts, they are a lot more willing to say hello and let their kids ask for candy,” said Sgt. Travis S. Vankooten, platoon guide, Company E, 2/5.

At the end of Company E’s deployment, they can leave with the satisfaction of a job well done.

“This place has calmed down a lot,” said Vankooten. “It has really improved over the past few months. We used to have incoming mortars all the time and we don't have nearly as many firefights we used to.”