Marine combat operations between Fallujah and Habbaniyah

MNFI:

Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment engaged insurgents in direct firefights twice in three days at Observation Post Bears along a main route through the city.

The battalion recently built new observation posts along the highway connecting Fallujah and Ramadi, an area near the Euphrates River with no distinct city lines or local government.

Pfc. Matthew Donnelly, an infantryman attached to the battalion, was standing post when the first attack broke out June 10.

“The next thing I know machine guns start opening up on the posts, including mine,” said the 19-year-old from Salem, Ore. “I got down and got my weapon to start shooting.”

Most of the Marines in the house were resting when the attack started, preparing for such an occasion. Bullet ricochets and rocket-propelled grenades broke their slumber.

“I was sitting down listening to my music when suddenly I hear rounds impacting and bouncing off the wall,” said Lance Cpl. Nicholas Garlich, an infantryman from Kansas City, Kan. “I put on my gear and ran to the post at the north and an RPG hit the window. I was inside the room by myself. I got a little wound on my arm.”

After a quick bandage was applied to his left shoulder, Garlich ran to the rooftop to join the rest of the Marines already returning fire with their M-16’s and one special surprise – a shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon.

“The Marines fired a SMAW and the enemy went away,” Donnelly said. “They called in an air strike and the tanks helped out. They blew up the house they were shooting from.”

Everything was quiet on OP Bears until dusk two days later.

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There is more. The story gives an interesting picture of the face of battle at this stage of the war. The observation post are clearly inconviencing the enemy which leads to the attacks. It is also remarkable how ineffective the enemy attacks are, despite their use of RPG's and vehicle human bomb attacks. It is worth reading the whole thing.