Photo Information

AL ASAD, Iraq - The Incident Response Platoon pulls their humvees into firing position at the convoy test fire range at Al Asad, Iraq, April 3, 2006 prior to leaving the base in the early hours of the morning. The IRP is attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Wing Support Group 37 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and will be deployed to Al Asad, Iraq until mid-summer.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen

Marines execute successful Baghdadi mission

10 Apr 2006 | Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen and Lance Cpl. Brandon L. Roach 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

In the early hours April 3, Marines and sailors with the Incident Response Platoon prepared for an operation that would take them outside the wire and into the local town of Baghdadi, Iraq.

The IRP is attached to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, Marine Wing Support Group 37 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and is responsible for providing security in support of response and pre-planned missions throughout the Al Anbar Province.

Their scheduled task was to escort members of a Civil Affairs Group and Police Transition Team to a housing complex where they would carry out their mission.

Once the convoy arrived safely at the small outpost, the Marines were able to give a much needed break to infantry Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment who had spent three days in the area with little sleep.

The same day, multiple roadside bombs were discovered and a seven-ton truck rolled over in a flash flood in the Western area of Iraq.  Although this was a dangerous mission, the group of Marines returned to Al Asad Air Base later in the day without incident.