AL ASAD, Iraq -- The Marines of Traffic Control Point Flea are tasked with conducting initial screening and manifesting of convoys and regulating all traffic on Flea Road before final entry onto Al Asad Air Base.
These Marines, part of Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, work the furthest post from the entry control point and ensure nothing potentially harmful comes through the gate.
This group, known as the TCP Flea Platoon, is a subordinate unit of MWSS-372, which is part of Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and comprised of Marines from various military occupation specialties that are out here to fill a security battalion role.
“I had the opportunity to hand-pick the Marines who I wanted to bring out here with me,” said Gunnery Sgt. James D. Schmitz, the TCP Flea Platoon commander.
The platoon is a mix of Marines who’ve deployed several times and some who are new to the Marine Corps and only checked into MWSS-372 a month prior to deployment.
“It’s huge to have experienced Marines out here to help guide the junior Marines and first time deployed Marines,” said Schmitz. “Some of the Marines who have done a couple tours in Iraq come out here and educate the young guys on what to look for and what to be aware of on the job.”
The post receives 200 to 400 vehicles a day through the gate. The convoys can be anyone from Iraqi Security Forces and third-country nationals to coalition forces and private security companies.
If the gate guard feels something about the vehicle is suspicious, they will pull all personnel out of the vehicles for inspection and collect necessary convoy information to include number of personnel, cargo load and who the convoy commander is.
After gathering this information, it is passed through headquarters and if everything checks out, the convoy is allowed to proceed to the ECP.
“Our job is really important because anything that comes in and out of the base, comes through us first,” said Cpl. Angelo R. Sarni, a fire team leader with the platoon. “We have a big responsibility as the initial contact with anyone who comes to this base.”
The platoon is split into two squads that have worked a 24-hour-on and 24-hour-off rotation since coming to Iraq in August 2007. Three times a day, hot chow is delivered to the Marines at the post; however, one downfall is the lack of running water.
After shift change, the Marines go back to their cans to shower and catch up on sleep, as well as check their e-mail and make phone calls to friends and family back home.
“There are times when it seems like post goes on forever and the morale gets down but you always have the experienced Marines out here to give their personal experiences and help keep everyone’s minds off the long days and even longer nights,” said Sarni.
“They help us through different situations and factors like being away from our home and our families,” said Lance Cpl. Brian R. Herman, a radio operator with MWSS-372. “We’ve spent a lot of time together and have gotten to know each other really well during our time out here. It was definitely a big change working with people you didn’t even know.”
The platoon is scheduled to leave in the coming months to return to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and disband back to their individual shops.
“I’m really happy and proud of these young Marines,” added Sarni. “Everyone will go back to their original sections as a stronger Marine.”