PATROL BASE DEMAZONG, HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – -- Marines constructed a patrol base designed to improve the security of one of the few paved roads in Afghanistan near the village of Demazong in Helmand province about 60 miles from the Iranian border, Oct. 16-25.
The patrol base will give Georgians and Afghan National Army soldiers a safer area to operate from while providing security for the area.
The Marines worked around the clock for nine days to complete Patrol Base Demazong. To complete the base, they set up Hesco barriers, made wooden structures and filled sand bags.
While the Marines were hard at work building the base, Georgian soldiers began foot patrols in the area while ANA soldiers conducted vehicle searches along the road.
“They [Georgian and ANA soldiers] can attempt to halt the trafficking of illegal items from Pakistan and Iran by building something that provides a secure area to operate out of while keeping close to villages and Route 606,” said 1st Lt. Brett E. Scull, platoon commander for 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward).
The mission comes down to helping the people of Demazong, said Scull. Being the first ISAF forces in the area means Georgian and ANA soldiers have a greater impact on the security of the area. They hope to prevent improvised explosive devices from being built and used by the Taliban.
“We are helping the Afghan people by trying to stop the flow of illegal items into the country,” said Scull. “That won’t only help prevent IEDs from hitting us, but the ones that end up hitting civilians too.”
The CLB-2 Marines said they enjoy being in Afghanistan and lending a helping hand to the local nationals.
“I enjoy helping the Afghan people,” said Scull. “We do what we can to make their lives better. We have improved routes for them, dug irrigation ditches, and built canals and footbridges. “
Having a completed patrol base in Demazong is the first step toward providing a safer area for both Afghans and coalition forces.