Company Commander's Newsletter...

This is the newsletter that Capt Coyne wrote up upon our return to ship. Some of you may have already received this through various networks, but for those of you who have not, I think it rates making it onto our platoon website. The photo is of the entire company before we launched into our first mission:

To the families and friends of Company C,

Charlie Company is back! After nearly two months ashore in the Middle East, I am proud to report that every Marine and Sailor returned safely and unharmed to the USS Bonhomme Richard. It has been an exciting and challenging time for the Marines and Sailors of Company C since I last wrote.

In early February, we were the helicopter quick reaction force afloat for U.S. Central Command in the Persian Gulf. At the end of February, as planned, Charlie Company flew ashore to Kuwait to begin a two-week live fire training exercise at Udairi Range. Shortly after our advance element arrived in Kuwait, however, it became clear that our training plan would have to be cut drastically short. There was a major change of plans waiting for us upon our arrival- we were going to Iraq in one week and now only had 5 days to train!

True to form, Charlie answered the call-to-arms like professionals. We conducted an intense training package at Udairi Range that was condensed to meet our most critical training needs. The first two days of training focused on marksmanship with our individual weapons/optics/lasers, and familiarization and refresher training with machine guns, rockets, grenade launchers, and demolitions. The final three days were devoted to a live-fire urban operations package that focused on room entry/clearing procedures, house take-downs, and close quarters battle. This urban package culminated with all four platoons conducting separate live-fire attacks on a mock city street. Concurrent with the above training, we conducted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training, convoy training, medical training/evacuation drills, combat reporting drills, and language/culture training to prepare us for combat operations.

Trained and ready for combat, the warriors of Company C flew from Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Airport to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) on the 5th of March. When we arrived in Baghdad, many Marines had their first taste of combat as they were greeted by enemy mortar impacts visible just outside the airport perimeter. The following night, we loaded on U.S. Army CH-47 Chinooks for transport from BIAP to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Falcon, just south of the city of Baghdad. Although we only spent a few days there, FOB Falcon would be our new home for the next 30 days. The chow hall there was the best the Marines had ever experienced. The living quarters, however, left much to be desired. This became evident during a four-day rainstorm that accompanied our arrival at the FOB, flooding our tents for nearly a week.

The first company from Battalion Landing Team 1/1 to hit the ground for combat operations, Charlie Company inserted into unknown territory, at night via U.S. Marine CH-46 helicopters, within days of arriving in Iraq. Assigned the mission to search for and attack enemy insurgents in “Sector Bravo-2”, we moved more than 50 miles via foot, over unforgiving terrain, during the initial 10-day operation in South Baghdad. Providing a robust presence on the ground with over 200 men, we disrupted enemy activity in the region and prevented mortar and rocket attacks from affecting the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly and other government activities in the city of Baghdad. Running patrols from frequently displacing company patrol bases, we engaged the local Iraqi’s as much as possible to gauge their feelings towards coalition presence, as well as to gain intelligence on enemy insurgents that were known to be operating in the area. We were very successful in all endeavors during this period, most notably our ability to rapidly identify “hot spots,” or areas that needed more attention after our departure.

The remainder of our time in Iraq was spent conducting platoon and squad sized combat patrols, ambushes, IED sweeps along major roads, hunting for weapons caches, and conducting raids on known terrorist sanctuaries. The Warriors of Charlie Company became quite skilled in all these areas. During our brief time in Iraq, we tallied some impressive numbers: 46 patrols conducted, 506 persons questioned, 114 houses cordoned and searched, 19 vehicle checkpoints established, 197 vehicles searched, 164 persons searched, 6 mortar/rocket points of origin investigated, 13 IED’s investigated/cordoned, and 3 weapons caches located.

Numbers, however, do not explain some of the magnificent accomplishments/stories that accompany them. For instance, fourth platoon, while conducting an IED patrol along a major coalition road in the 15th MEU’s area, found a 250-pound aircraft bomb with three 105mm artillery rounds connected by detonating cord, buried alongside the road and rigged to detonate on one of our convoys. Second platoon, acting on a tip gained from an Iraqi farmer while en-route to conduct a raid on an insurgent hideout, unearthed one of the largest weapons caches found to date in the Baghdad area. First platoon, as a result of their aggressive patrolling, confiscated the most illegal weapons in the company and provided outstanding intelligence that shaped other coalition operations. Third platoon, acting independently, discovered a deadly insurgent ring and detained one of its key members. This ring is responsible for the beheading and murders of Americans and Iraqi National Guardsmen. These are just a few highlights that come to mind. There are many more, but I will let your Marine or Sailor tell you himself. Their vigilance saved countless coalition and Iraqi lives and our efforts will clearly benefit the soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment who recently took control of our battle space.

I am extremely proud of the men in this company. If you saw them in action like I did, you would be too. They all performed magnificently, and they did so at great personal risk. Not only did they accomplish more than their assigned missions, they did so in a dangerous and uncertain environment, against an adaptable and lethal enemy. What I am most proud of, though, is that we were able to accomplish all of this and bring everyone back home alive and uninjured. I thank God, the leaders of this company, and our individual Marines and Sailors for the exceptional performance and professionalism that made this happen. I also thank you for your prayers, support, and sacrifices during this time.

On a different note, we have had a few promotions in the company since I last wrote. We recently promoted Sergeant Jerry N. McPherson, MERITORIOUSLY, to the rank of Staff Sergeant during a ceremony held in Iraq. He was hand picked from a very competitive group of Sergeants from I MEF. This is a very rare occurrence and quite an accomplishment. Charlie Company is lucky to have such a high caliber individual as Staff Sergeant McPherson in its ranks. Congratulations Sergeant Mac! Headquarters Platoon proudly promoted Lance Corporal Matthew J. Bonaminio to the rank of Corporal. First Platoon added two Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) to its roles since February’s letter. They are Corporal Preston D. Manygoats and Corporal Alfredo A. Alvarez. Five other Marines from the “Fightin’ First” were promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. They are Lance Corporal Daniel Estrada, Lance Corporal Michael J. Davies, Lance Corporal Antonio M. Cue, Lance Corporal Michael L. Worthy, and Lance Corporal Nicholas A. Calvillo. Second Platoon (“Second to None”) is proud to add a new Sergeant, two new NCOs, and three Lance Corporals to their chain. Congratulations to Sergeant Damon A. Demetre, Corporal Mark A. Ortega, Corporal Ryan C. Zimmerline, Lance Corporal Johnathan M. Pigg, Lance Corporal Ryan E. German, and Lance Corporal Cameron M. Newberry. The Third Platoon “Wolf Pack” has a newly promoted NCO and a Lance Corporal. They are Corporal Alejandro Caldera and Lance Corporal Michael N. Stevens. The “Orphan Platoon” (Fourth Platoon) added a new NCO and two Lance Corporals to their list of orphans. They are Corporal Joshua J. Melendrez, Lance Corporal Moises O. Hernandez, and Lance Corporal Brian J. Sitter. Congratulations to all the newly promoted Marines in Company C.

I am glad to announce the birth of three children in the Charlie family. Lance Corporal Jonas B. Lady and his wife Lauren had a baby boy named Tristan in early March. We are thankful that all worked out for mother and baby, and that they are both doing well amidst the complications. Corporal Shannon D. Crosby and his wife Amy had a baby boy in February. They named him Shannon Jr., after his dad. Lance Corporal Jacob P. Nelson and his wife Kristin had a boy in March named Zach. Congratulations to the Lady’s, Crosby’s, and Nelson’s.

We all look forward to our return trip to sunny San Diego. With Iraq behind us, we can settle down a bit and look forward to the future of Charlie Company. On our way home we will look to improve our Marines with professional development classes and training for our future leaders. We will devote a good deal of time to building our bodies back up as well. Many Marines lost weight and strength while in Iraq, but don’t worry ladies, we’ll be sure to do some extra “curls for the girls!”

We anxiously await our reunion with you. We will likely visit two ports on our way home, Australia and Hawaii. These visits will give the Marines a chance to unwind, see another country, and allow the Navy to take on stores and replenish the ships. All indicators suggest that we will return from deployment on time. That is great news to us all. Until next time, take care and be well.

Semper Fidelis,

B.P. COYNE
Commanding Officer
Company C, BLT 1/1