Best regards and "Happy New Year" to the families and friends of Battalion Landing Team First Battalion, Second Marines,

BLT 1/2 ...Since the last update BLT 1/2 continued combat operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. The BLT is operating within the City of Hit (pronounced "heet") and surrounding areas and we are fully underway in counter=insurgency operations. The BLT, in conjunction with operations of 22nd MEU are intended to neutralize anti-Iraqi forces, support the continued development of Iraqi Security Forces, and support Iraqi reconstruction. Our daily activities and operations will be a significant contribution to an overarching focus on giving the people of Iraq a chance to live in a peaceful and democratic society that has so long been denied them.

The Environment...The BLT's area of operations is along the Euphrates River Valley and centered on the very old, perhaps best described as "ancient" City of Hit. The geographic area that surrounds the city offers some distinct contrasts. Extending laterally from the river for approximately a mile or so, one can readily encounter palm groves, agricultural facilities like rice paddies and date groves, and small towns -"villes"-in Marine vernacular, serviced by the consistent water supply offered by the Euphrates River. Beyond the river valley proper, one almost immediately encounters a blend of desert terrain comprised of small mesa-like features to lightly rolling desert hills and wadi to barren, flat desert floor. With the exception of the occasional oasis and palm grove, the desert area is abundant with dirt and sand, and the "mix" results in a silt-like powder that floats on the surface of the desert floor. When agitated by vehicles, helicopters, or natural winds, the powder can certainly take up home in nostrils, eyes and in the mechanisms of our weapons and equipment.

The City of Hit is by and large the center of the BLT's AO and has drawn our attention in these initial days of combat operations. With the City of Hit being a "focal point" if you will, the units of the BLT are arrayed in manner that supports interruption of insurgent activities and routes while maintaining mutual support with adjacent BLT and 22nd MEU units. As one might suspect, routes and activities of the insurgents are woven with that of everyday civilian life of the area to offer the necessary "cover" for preparations and actions and to facilitate the illicit activities that fund insurgent operations. It is in these areas that we will go to root out the enemy and disrupt his activities.

An insurgency historically looks to capitalize on areas/community centers plagued by a number of negative factors, not the least of which can be an unresponsive and fractioned local leadership, long-standing or developing rifts in tribal and religious affiliations, an unstable economy and slow to stalled development of infrastructure, questionable and/or defunct police forces, and finally a populous that due to the strain brought on by the noted factors makes it susceptible to the manipulation, in this case by a variety of anti-Iraqi forces. Our actions are helping the citizens of the area maintain a level of security and normality in their lives while also helping to set the conditions for increased local security, responsive local government and improved economic development - key aspects in beating back and ultimately defeating of the insurgency.

Drilling down, "patrol operations" have been the "business of the day" these first several days for each of the companies. On a continual basis, vehicle and foot-mobile patrols are out and about in the untidy streets of the city and in and around the rural areas of the river valley, all focused on seeking the enemy and disrupting his plans by our direct actions and, in many respects, merely by our presence. "Your warriors are getting after it." "We are all here," ... AAV crews, artilleryman and their howitzers, combat engineers, tankers, infantryman, "docs" and chaplains, all working together. I have watched them "gear up," I see the confidence they have in themselves, their fellow warriors and the confidence they have in their equipment. They are all impressive. It is early yet and there is hard work ahead, but I know that it will be the sense of mission accomplishment and shared dangers that will positively fuel this fine team each and every day.

Concurrently, we are working to engage the local citizenry to gain their confidence and their assistance in addressing the threats within the area. Providing some semblance of security, and in that normalcy of life for the citizens of the area is an important task. Our security operations (patrolling, etc) coupled with engaging and assisting the legitimate, local leadership and operating with and assisting the local Iraqi Army are other key aspects to achieving that end.

As you no doubt have come to understand through the media, and perhaps from a loved-one's previous tour in Iraq of Afghanistan, countering an insurgency involves demanding and at times dangerous work. Let me tell you that your Marines and Sailors are on their toes every day, executing smartly and doing their part. We've encountered the enemy; he knows full well that we are here and that we have every intention of hunting him down. No surprise when I tell you that our enemy is allusive and our mission has risks and won’t be easy, but the members of this BLT are displaying tremendous qualities within a demanding environment. I am extremely proud of our Marines and Sailors.

"Home Is Where You Hang Your Rifle" ... As the header may infer, "home" is where Marines hang their weapons up and where they try to clean up and rest from the day's operations and prepare for the next. For units of the BLT, "firm bases," - buildings in a unit's designated area of operations reinforced with a variety and in many respects robust physical security measures - "firm bases" serve as "home" for now. There are several firm bases in the BLT area and although they offer little to nothing in the form of creature comforts, they offer several key aspects of force protection, not the least of which is added security that a hardened cement structure affords against mortars and rockets, and a location that is guarded by our Marines and with the assistance of Iraqi soldiers-our fellow counterparts in this fight. It is in these small bases where your Marine or Sailor can rest, get some "hot chow," relax with fellow warriors, get cleaned up and plan and prepare for operations. My medical officers and their corpsman are also dispersed throughout the firm bases, sharing in the patrols and hardships and capable of providing 24/7 assistance to the warriors. Through the hard work of our brothers and sisters in the MSSG, these firm bases have expeditionary showers and Marines have the capability to heat tray rations, a step up from the Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). 22 MEU as a whole continues to commit every available resource to these bases to give our warriors the life support to stay healthy and ready for operations. We are in good company and we're in great shape.

Mail continues to flow in and in large quantities. Always great to see the letters and care packages...and the grins that go along with news from home. A reminder on MOTO Mail at www.motomail.us ...a great way to stay in touch.

Happy New Year ...I extend my best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. My "thanks to all" for the steadfast commitment and support for this BLT.

Semper Fidelis and best regards,
LtCol "Drew" Smith

Commanding Officer, Battalion Landing Team 1/2