HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Marines and sailors from Motor Transport Company B (reinforced), Combat Logistics Battalion 3, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), provided tactical logistics support to the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), during Operation Steel Dawn II, Oct. 26 - Nov.1.
During the combat operation, Afghan and coalition forces cleared the southern Helmand province town of Bahram Chah, a Taliban command and control area that consists of narcotics trafficking, weapons and ammunition storage, improvised explosive device factories and foreign fighter training areas.
While 1st LAR Marines were engaged with the enemy, logistics Marines and sailors kept them supplied with food, water, fuel, ammunition and other supplies via combat logistics patrols and helicopter support teams. The CLB-3 Marines also provided security for coalition forces during the operation.
“For most of the Marines, it was the first time they have witnessed the amount of combat power a Marine Air Ground Task Force can produce,” said Capt. Matthew J. Neely, company commander, Motor Transport Company B, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD). “It was a prime example of what the Marine Corps is all about; the air combat element, logistics combat element, ground combat element, and command element all coming together and moving to an austere location to take the fight to the enemy.”
In total, the Marines distributed about eight pallets of food and water, about 15,000 gallons of fuel, and the wrecker crew recovered 53 vehicles during the operation.
“I think [the Marines] did an outstanding job of moving the logistics supplies to and from the [logistics support area],” said 1st Sgt. Manuel Palos, company first sergeant, Motor Transport Co. B, CLB-3, 1st MLG (FWD). “We played an important part in the coordination, transportation and security for most of the [Marine Air Ground Task Force], and I credit the success to the performance of my Marines.”
After the completion of Operation Steel Dawn II, Marines and sailors of CLB-3’s Motor Transport Company B returned to their home base of Forward Operating Base Dwyer where they will continue to provide combat logistics support to coalition forces throughout Helmand province.