NEAR KARMAH, Iraq -- NEAR KARMAH, Iraq (July 19, 2007) – Reconnaissance Marines from Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines have temporarily cast aside their ethos of “swift, silent and deadly.”
Conducting counter-insurgency operations (COIN) in Al Anbar province have brought recon Marines from the shadows into the limelight, and though the platoon is currently serving a non-traditional role, the ability to overcome and excel in any situation has brought great success. As the battalion’s presence sprawls across the area, recon platoon is more frequently being utilized as a COIN asset.
“We’ve shown that we can ‘dual-hat’ this thing,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Penner, recon platoon sergeant, “and as the MEU and battalion see that, they want to use us for more COIN operations.”
The platoon, which serves as the reconnaissance element for BLT 3/1 (the ground combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit) is conducting daily “knock-and-talk” missions and presence patrols along Main Service Route Lincoln, a historically vicious gauntlet of roadside bombs and harassing fire. The missions generally require face-to-face contact and conversation with locals, a far cry from the covert, “cloak and dagger” reconnaissance and surveillance operations the platoon trains for. Success is measured carefully, and the insurgency here has the short end of the stick. With the 24-hour presence of recon platoon along the route, Marines say the area has never been safer.
“(MSR) Lincoln hasn’t been this secure for months,” said Penner. “We have completely denied the insurgents’ use of this area. I think we’ve had great success.”
Serving as a multi-purpose unit is nothing new the reconnaissance community. Previous deployments, said Penner, have taught the Marines as any situation arises, the challenge must be faced. BLT 3/1’s Recon platoon has met and embraced the challenges here.
“I think the Marines have really grasped it, and they’ve done some great things … We like to look at ourselves as a ‘Jack of all trades, master of every single one, and as long as we’re doing this, we just want to make the most success for the BLT.”
Hailed for their flexibility and skill, Penner says the hallmark of the platoon’s excellence is a direct reflection on his leadership.
“I fully credit recon platoon’s success to the team