CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq -- Marine combat engineers with Charlie Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 1, recently improved force protection conditions at Camp Baharia, Iraq.
These improvements are welcomed by the Marines at Camp Baharia, who have insurgents and terrorists as neighbors in the restive town of Fallujah.
"Our job is to make sure the Marines here can identify and repel any enemy assaults that might come," said 2nd Lt. David C. Youngblood, Charlie Co.'s 2nd platoon commander.
The engineers brought out bulldozers, large forklifts, chainsaws and more than 1,500 meters of razor wire to fortify the infantry base. The engineers refurbished gates, chopped down trees and placed razor wire in strategic locations throughout the camp.
"We set up obstacles and force protection measures that enable the grunts to do their jobs safely and effectively," said Youngblood, who served as an engineer advisor during the project.
Projects like the Camp Baharia force protection improvements are not unusual for the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based engineers. Charlie Co. has completed similar work on Camp Fallujah, the headquarters base for CSSB-1. They installed wire around the camp, constructed bunkers and berms, refurbished gates and improved the camp detainee facility.
"We make sure we are as safe as we can be around the camp," said Youngblood.
The company, part of 1st Force Service Support Group, provides engineering services throughout Regimental Combat Team 1's area of operations. The 1st FSSG provides logistical support, including supply, transport and medical services, to all Marine units throughout Iraq.