CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq -- Marines and sailors of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, finished movement here Sunday as they took the reins for mechanized security in al-Anbar province from 2nd LAR Bn., RCT-5.
“Once we have completed our turnover with 2nd LAR (Bn.) and we have all of our gear, the battalion as a whole will move out into the operation area in conjunction with Regimental Combat Team 5 to interdict and disrupt insurgent activity in the area,” said Maj. Henry H. Kayser, operations officer for 1st LAR. “Everybody is on deck now, and we are ready to do our job.”
That job could include a wide range of operations explained Sgt. James G. Hohenstein, a tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missile system gunner with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st LAR Bn.
“The realistic training we received while still in the states was vital to tackling the wide array of missions that could be assigned to us,” said Hohenstein, 28, from La Crescenda, Calif. “As the saying goes: ‘train like we fight.’ That’s what we did, and that’s why we will be ready for whatever comes our way.”
With the Iraqi Security Forces now having increased responsibilities for security in al-Anbar province, 1st LAR Bn. will assist the ISF by patrolling the open desert to disrupt insurgent activity.
“1st LAR (Bn.) will be going back to its roots,” said Kayser, 33, from Baltimore, Md. “Instead of living on forward operating bases and (combat) outposts, the Marines will be working and living out of their vehicles and roaming the open desert like LAR is meant to do.”
As the Marines and sailors of 1st LAR Bn. settle into the tempo of their deployment, the teamwork they fostered leading up to now will carry them through their time here successfully, explained Hohenstein.
“It feels good to be a part of such a big operation and to lead Marines with all we’ve practiced to fight the war on terrorism,” said Hohenstein. “All that’s left to do now is dig into whatever is thrown at us, do our job right and come home to our families safe and successful.