NEAR KARMAH, Iraq -- NEAR KARMAH, Iraq (July 11, 2007) – Marines from Battalion Landing Team 3/1 conducted a 72-hour sweeping operation beginning July 5 in succession to last month’s Operation CHINA SHOP.
Operation CHINA SHOP II had Marines on the hunt for more weapons caches and intelligence within Al Anbar Province.
“Once again the Marines did a good job out there,” said Capt. Patrick Byrne, India Co. commanding officer
India Co. contributed as the main effort during the operation and wasted no time, finding five caches in the first day. Over the next two days Marines found two more caches and gathered intelligence that can put a wrench in the malicious activities of the insurgency.
“I think that for the time that we were out there, we did a really good job finding caches,” said Lance Cpl. Tyler Martin, rifleman with India Co. 3rd platoon. “These operations are pretty important to setting up a firm presence in the area.”
Currently the Marines of India Co. have set up shop near Combat Outpost Chicago. They are adding extra support to Lima Co. and the battle space, which has had their share of activity thus far.